Elja F. Piscitello Obituary
Elja Piscitello, 73, of Pepperell, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with liver disease. Born on August 28, 1951, in Gloucester, MA, Elja lived a life full of laughter, love, and the occasional shopping spree that "saved a lot of money" (at least that's what she told Vito).
Elja was a true people-person. She lit up every room she entered and could turn a five-minute errand into a two-hour adventure if it meant running into a friend or making a new one. But her greatest joy in life was her family. She adored her children and their spouses and absolutely doted on her grandchildren. Her eyes sparkled at the sight of them, and her love for them stretched "to the moon and back", a phrase she often said and meant with every ounce of her heart.
She shared a playful, loving bond with her husband and partner-in-crime, Vito. Whether they were playing cards, doing laps around the pool, going for a drive, or heading off on one of her legendary bargain-hunting missions, they were inseparable. She also cherished her close friendships, especially with her honorary sisters Alice and Cindy, who shared in her laughter, stories, and maybe a little gossip.
Elja is survived by her beloved husband, Vito; her children and their spouses: Paulette and Paul Leite of Taunton, MA, Joe and Cristina Piscitello of North Andover, MA, Lisa and Chris Rolfe of Auburn, NH, and Nick Piscitello and Jerry Bligh of Auburn, NH. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Noah and Jacob Leite, Luke and Isabel Rolfe, and Evan and Bradyn Piscitello, each of whom held a special place in her heart.
She also leaves behind her brother, Dan (DJ) DeFreitas of Gloucester, along with many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Sylvester and Belmira DeFreitas, and her brother Sylvester "JR" Freitas Jr.
Elja's warmth, humor, and boundless love touched everyone who knew her. Her legacy lives on in Sunday dinners, contagious laughs, and the stories we'll continue to tell, especially the funny ones she'd probably want us to embellish just a little.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester, on Wednesday, July 2, from 9:30-11:30a.m. followed by a Mass at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, 142 Prospect Street, Gloucester at 12p.m. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the American Liver Foundation (Liverfoundation.org) or the National MS Society (nationalmssociety.org) two causes close to Elja's heart.
