Alice Latella

Mrs. Alice (Ziemba) Latella, 94, passed away peacefully, with loving family by her side, on Saturday, April 10, 2021, in the Eddy Village Green at Cohoes.

Alice was born in Utica, May 11, 1926, a daughter of the late Joseph and Nellie (Ziemenski) Ziemba. She always cherished the memory of her father, who died at a young age, and always recalled him calling her “my little peanut”.

Alice attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and Utica Free Academy. On May 12, 1945, she was joined in marriage to Philip Latella. Alice and Phil shared over 61 years, raising their family and working together in the family business, Utica Excavating Company. Her beloved Phil passed away in 2007.

Alice enjoyed working with her husband, Phil, brother-in-law, Joe, and sons, Philip and Michael, in the business for many years. She did everything but run the equipment and was always lovingly referred to as the “Executive Secretary”.

Alice loved to paint flowers and landscapes, and was always very proud of selling one at the Munson-Williams Art Exhibit. She also mastered the art of sewing, to include coats, drapes, and costumes. She loved to play cards, bingo, and slots. Always a great hostess, when you went to her home, food was plentiful, delicious, and you never left hungry. Her cookie trays were unforgettable, meticulously and daintily prepared; no need to make “clunkers” when you could always have two. Alice adored her grandchildren, would do anything for them, and always tried to attend the special events in their lives, as long as she was able.

She is survived by her four children, daughter, Diane and Thomas Murray, son, Philip and Doreen Latella, daughter, Angela and Bill Leary, and son, Michael and Marina Latella; her beloved grandchildren, Shannon Murray and Thomas Cooper, Thomas and Laura Murray, Gina and Ron Esposito, Philip and Cassie Latella, William Leary, Jennifer and Ben O’Shea, Michael and Brianna Latella, Gianna and James Giruzzi, Anthony Latella, and Salvatore Latella; ten beloved great grandchildren; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joseph and Rosemary Latella; sister-in-law, Lucy Radominski; and a special cousin, Fran Karpp, who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Nellie; husband, Philip; brother, Robert Ziemba; and sister, Jacqueline Styrzo.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday at 12 Noon at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The funeral home and church are working at limited capacity; all attendees must wear masks covering their nose and mouth, social distance, and register for Covid-19 tracing. Messages on The Matt Funeral Home website are of great comfort to the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. at hospicecareinc.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alice Latella, please visit our floral store.