We at Anton Community Newspapers sadly lost a member of our "family" when Agatha Ardito, whom we knew as Aggie, passed away suddenly on March 24. Aggie worked with us as a proofreader in our offices in Mineola, checking the news and ad copy for any mistakes, a job she handled so meticulously.

But it's much more than what she contributed in that capacity that we have been focusing on. We have been focusing on who she was as a person. Her good-natured presence, her kindness and caring, along with her easy laughter will be so very much missed by all of us. We feel fortunate to have known her.

We were not surprised to learn that Aggie was an organ donor. She gave the ultimate gift of life to three recipients who received her heart valve, kidney and liver.

People have remarked that Aggie was always so upbeat. The love in her family was the reason for that. She was married to Vito, her best friend, and their daily life together, consisting of raising two fine sons and sharing their lives with her mother who lived with them brought her much joy. Oftentimes Aggie would happily tell stories of having a house full of her sons' teenaged friends.

Aggie enjoyed performing locally with her husband Vito, and others in a Toca band. Aggie's love of music didn't end there. She was also a member of the folk group at her church, St. Bernard's. A devout Catholic, she attended Mass regularly. She even proofread the church's weekly bulletin. At the funeral Mass held in her honor, Father Jerry urged all present to live the same Christian life that Aggie aspired to live. Her spirit will live on in all those she touched so deeply.

Agatha Ardito was 51 and a resident of Levittown for over 20 years. She was the beloved wife of Vito, loving mother of William Thomas and Thomas Gian, adored daughter of Caterina and the late Gaetano Salvia, devoted sister of Epifania Rosen (Stanley) and dear aunt of Robert, Jaime and David. She was a member of the Division Avenue PTA and Levittown Council and was a member of the St. Bernard's Folk Group. The family received visitors at the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, Levittown Chapel on March 26. Mass was held on March 27 at St. Bernard R.C. Church in Levittown; Interment at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury. In lieu of flowers, donations to Birthright or St. Bernard's Church Folk Group in her memory would be appreciated.