Seneca Falls – Rena M. Bilia, of Maynard St., Seneca Falls, NY, died, unexpectedly, Friday (January 6, 2012) at Geneva General Hospital, Geneva, NY.

Family and friends may call at the Doran Funeral Home, 4 E. Bayard St., Seneca Falls, on Tuesday

(January 10) from 4 – 7 PM.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday (January 11) at 9:15 AM at the funeral home and at 10 AM at St. Patrick’s Church, Seneca Falls, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend James Fennessy, Pastor.  Burial will follow in St. Columbkille Cemetery, Seneca Falls.  If desired, contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, C/o St. Patrick’s Church office, 25 Center St., Waterloo, NY  13165.

Rena was born in Italy on May 3, 1927 the daughter of the late Rafaelo and Josephine Giovannini Mellini.  She had resided most of her life in Seneca Falls and was retired from the former Sylvania Co. of Seneca Falls.  She was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and the S.M.S. Auxiliary, both of Seneca Falls.  Rena was a long time church volunteer especially every Monday when she assisted in the tabulating of the Sunday church Offertory collection.  She also volunteered in the gift shop at the Huntington Living Center in Waterloo.

She is survived by:
4 daughters:  Donna (Rich) Carnevale – Lake Wylie, South Carolina
LeeAnn (John) DeBottis – High Point, North Carolina
Cathy (Robert) Sandroni – Seneca Falls, NY
Lisa (Sam) Giacona – Auburn, NY
Grandchildren: Briana (David) Gregory, Jaime (Joshua Moore) DeBottis, Joshua DeBottis, Jeremy (Laura) Sandroni, Corine (Michael O’Malley) Sandroni, Bianca and Dommie Giacona
3 great grandchildren – Ava and Evan Sandroni, and Mya O’Malley
1 sister – Julia “Judy” (Robert) Cracknell – Seneca Falls, NY
1 brother – Frederick (Beverly) Mellini – Seneca Falls, NY
1 brother-in-law – Louis Bilia – Seneca Falls, NY
Several nieces and nephews

She was predeceased by:  Her husband, Ettore “Ed” Bilia who died June 26, 2004, 1 sister Rose Mellini who died September 15, 1993 and 1 brother, John Mellini who died January 12, 1991