Ernestine Waite, age 91, daughter of Francesco and Angelina Pettinato, formerly of Ithaca and Elmira, New York, passed away on May 5, 2021 at Elizabeth Seton Residence in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. She was the loving mother of Kathleen Germak and husband John of Scituate, Massachusetts, Barcie Waite of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Hal Waite and wife Jeanne of Ojai, California, Daniel Waite of Jacksonville, Florida and Michael Waite and husband Roger of Los Angeles, California. She was also a beloved grandmother to nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren and a cherished cousin to many relatives in San Pietro Apostolo, Italy.
Ernestine had a long and successful career as a reading specialist in the Elmira and Ithaca School Districts. She was also an accomplished seamstress, knitter and quilter and leaves behind many treasured examples of her creativity.
Funeral Mass and burial will be held in Ithaca, NY.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Ernestine’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Parkinson’s Foundation.