Cynthia R. “Cindy” Gallese, 68, of 24 Pardee St., Hornell, died early Wednesday evening (February 3, 2021)at St. James Hospital, following a brave and courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was born in Hornell on May 2, 1952.
Cindy grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1970). She later attended Alfred State College School of Nursing where she obtained her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Degree and later her Registered Nursing Degree (RN). Cindy eventually went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She later taught several nursing courses at Alfred State College.
As a Registered Nurse she served the Hornell community with her heart and soul. She had been employed for a time at Steuben County ARC, working at several group homes in the Hornell area. For many years she worked as a registered nurse at St. James Mercy Hospital, primarily in the Adolescent Psychology Unit. Most recently she was employed as a registered nurse at Hornell Gardens.
Cindy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She was a former member of the Hornell Association. Cindy was an avid reader and would read anything and everything! She also enjoyed swimming at the Hornell YMCA. She enjoyed meditation, Yoga & Qigong.
A very spiritual woman, Cindy enjoyed taking trips with her husband, Joe, to such places as Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Lillydale (Spiritual Community) at Chautauqua Lake, and also loved traveling to visit her children in places such as Boston and Long Island.
She was married on April 1, 1978 to Joseph “Joe” Gallese who survives. Also surviving are 3 sons, Gary “Buddy” (Karen Robinson) Strobel of St. Augustine, FL, Joseph Gallese of Canandaigua, NY and Michael (Jessica) Gallese of Hornell; 1 daughter, Hilary (Domenic) Argentieri of Rochester; several siblings including Donna Spicer of Hornell, Jimmy (Charlene) Pond of Virginia and Milburn Pond of Mississippi; 7 grandchildren, Casey Strobel, Melody Strobel, Joseph Gallese, Brooke Gallese, Sabin Gallese, Ruby Argentieri and Lola Argentieri; several nieces & nephews.
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, there will be no prior calling hours. Family & friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Cindy’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Foundation, Upstate New York Chapter, 135 Old Cove Rd., Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.
