Obituary of Iola Rafaella DeMartino

Iola Rafaella De Martino left this earth on Sunday March 5, 2023 at her home in Reunion Florida surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 12th, 1949 in Settifrati, Italy as Iole D’Amario to the late Cesare & Cesidia (Malizia) D’Amario. At the age of 7 Iola & her family immigrated to America on January 30th, 1956 in hopes of a better future. Her name was Americanized from Iole to Iola. She was the first graduating class of Saint Anthony’s school, Saint Columbus school & a graduate of Linton High school. Iola was also a graduate of the Royal Beauty School. She fell in love & was married to her soulmate Salvatore Joseph De Martino on September 7th, 1969.

Iola was a deeply devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister & friend. She loved to spend the holidays with her children, grandchildren, and family that were always grand celebrations marked by meticulously crafted meals and artful table settings.  She was also an avid gardener and loved her flowers. She loved her lake home in Sabbath Day Point, Hague N.Y. as well. She was a long-time board member of the Sabbath Day Point Beach Association, accomplishing & overseeing many improvement projects. One of her passions was cooking as it was her favorite way to care for others. Her compassion, inspiration, devotion & business mind, has carried onto her children, grandchildren & many others.

Iola retired in 2019, from cosmetology. She was in business for 39 years. She worked at the TiKi room and instructed at the Paul Mitchell School of cosmetology. She was president and owner of Iola’s Looking Glass, Iola’s School of cosmetology & co-owner of The Fish House Lodge LLC. She continued to work in retirement to ensure the success of The Fish House Lodge LLC overseeing operations, facility management, wedding events & much, much more. She was an extremely successful vibrant businesswoman founding multiple businesses, and salons, including Iola’s Looking Glass II. Iola was very well respected and known as a talented artist in the beauty profession and industry.

The enthusiasm with which Iola navigated the world never diminished throughout her life. Known for her big personality, she was goal-oriented, welcomed challenges, and could find humor in any situation. 

Iola was an indomitable force, and her presence filled the room with love, laughter, and energy. Her expectations of others inspired them to strive to be better and her belief in them made it possible. Her kitchen was a safe haven, welcoming to all, and filled with aromas of gourmet cooking that she somehow made seem effortless. 

She loved her husband, her sons, her grandchildren, her siblings & friends unconditionally. 

Iola was the third of six children, and her playful and mischievous nature was encouraged by her parents who loved her irrepressible spirit & nature.

She is survived by her devoted, supportive, loving husband Salvatore of 53 years, her son Joseph (Regan) De Martino, Gianna, Joseph, Sophia, & Oliver, her son Dean (Tina) De Martino, Mia, Ava, & Ella. She is also survived by her sister Anna (Timothy late) Tracy & family, Antonia (Joseph) Pelech & family, Robert (Janet) D’Amario & family, Rafaella (Paul) Thomas & family, Michael (Valerie) D’Amario & family, sister-in-law Christina (Dennis late) Gnoinski & family, many nieces, many great nieces, many nephews, many great nephews & many close cousins all over this world.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at  9 AM on Saturday, March 18th, 2023 at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 806 Union Street, followed by a Catholic burial at Saint Anthony’s Cemetery, 27 Glenridge Road, followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at Grano’s restaurant 426 State Street for family & friends. Services will be live-streamed on Glenville Funeral Home's Facebook page. 

Donations can be made to Saint Anthony’s Church, Saint John the Evangelist Church, Saint Jude Foundation, Shriner’s hospital, & the Ronald McDonald House in her honor.

Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com