Inez R. (Roscia) Paravati

Mrs. Inez R. Paravati, passed away peacefully on Monday April 10, 2023, with the love of her family in her heart and by her side. She was 95 years old and enjoyed many happy years with her loving family and friends.

Inez was born in Utica, on September 26, 1927, the daughter of the late Angelo and Ida (Salerno) Roscia.  She attended Utica schools and graduated from T. R. Proctor High School. She also received a secretarial degree from Becker College in Worcester, MA. She had many wonderful stories and memories from her time at Becker. Upon graduation, she returned to Utica and was employed as a legal secretary. She married Peter Paravati, Sr., and they raised two children together. While her children were young, she volunteered for many school and PTA activities. Throughout her life, she loved to follow and discuss legal and political current events. She was also an avid and passionate reader of English classics and American historical novels. Her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and her extended family of nieces and nephews. She never missed an opportunity to host local family gatherings and to attend milestone celebrations, including frequent travel to Rochester and California for every important occasion. Inez’s presence will be very missed, while memories of her compassion and sense of fun live on.

She is survived by her devoted children – Peter (Jennifer) Paravati, Jr. of Vernon, NY; and Laurie (Duane) Phillips of Lafayette, CA. She leaves her five grandchildren whom she adored - Brian Paravati of Chicago, IL; Christopher (Jamie) Paravati of Schuyler, NY; Allison (Joseph Witte) Paravati of Utica, NY; Gregory (Jessica) Phillips of Philadelphia, PA; and Lisa (Brett) Hochstein of Lafayette, CA. Inez also leaves her beloved great-grandchildren, Walter Parent III and Parker Paravati; Logan and Inez Witte; Hallie, Ethan, and Ben Phillips; and Lily and Scott Hochstein; as well as her many special nieces and nephews. Inez was predeceased by her loving sister, Edith R. Poccia, and her dear brother, John J. Roscia.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her wonderful home health aides, provided by the dedicated Care Givers team. Their compassion and devoted care was deeply appreciated. Thank you to Dr. Scott Brehaut for his many years of care.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Inez’s Mass of Christian Burial this Saturday April 15, 2023, at 11:00 am at Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, Utica. Private entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

In Inez’s memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to her beloved grandnephew’s scholarship:

Rochester Institute of Technology

Attn: Risa Robinson (Ted Harding Memorial Fund), Mechanical Engineering Department, 76 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623.  Checks may be made payable to Rochester Institute of Technology (in note: Ted Harding Memorial Fund). 

Alternatively, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: ALSAC/501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Stjude.org.

“Did you ever know that you're my hero, And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle, For you are the wind beneath my wings”

Bette Midler

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