Esther Piconi, 99, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Monday, August 7th at Glenwood Retirement Community with family by her side.

Born in Crozier, WV to the late Michael and Maria Theresa (Genovese) Capicotta. She attended Elkorn High School. She was married to the late Emilio Joe Piconi. She lived in Princeton for almost 50 years and was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Esther had her own small business as a seamstress for decades. She was very talented in designing clothes and providing alterations for many people in Mercer and McDowell counties. She was well known for assisting many brides with their attire and bridal party dresses. She made many of the of the altar cloths/fair linen for spiritual holidays at the church.  She loved her church and wanted to give back as much as possible.

Over the many years, Esther never met a stranger. She made friends easily and loved being with people. She was extremely social, and it was well known that the mass was not over until she greeted and hugged everyone in attendance.  We have lost count of how many children she was a godmother and confirmation sponsor to.  While she had 9 biological grandchildren, she welcomed many others into her family and was called, Nana and Nonna by many others throughout her life. She had enough love to go around for all of them.

Esther was an avid baker and cook. She loved making food for her family and friends. Her secret recipe for Italian chicken, the pasta sauce and many types of cookies that she made were enjoyed by many near and far.  She would collect tins throughout the year to send off her Christmas cookies to people across the U.S. for their enjoyment. Food represented love in her mind, and she made sure everyone was well fed and in turn loved.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Emilio Joe Piconi, daughter, Linda Ann Harman and son, Jackie Joe Piconi, grandson, Emilio Joe (Jo Jo) Piconi, sisters, Jean DeFelice, Mary Larry and brother, Phillip Capicotta. She is survived by her daughter, Angie Stephenson (Tom) Lancaster, PA and 8 grandchildren, Beth (Matt Roach) Harman, Sterling, VA, Maria (Dave) Allen, Sterling, VA , Tammie Rhodes Thomson, GA, Micheal Harman, Washington DC, Melissa (Ben) Mottinger, Highlands Ranch, CO, Melanie (Cary) Vipond, Ashburn, VA,  Veronica (Homen) Cull Summerville, SC and Robert (Lindsey) Stephenson, Doylestown, PA,  twelve great grandchildren, Ashley Allen, Daulton and Logan Roach, Emma Rhodes, Summit, Keenan and Aspen Mottinger, Kellen, Landon and Tatum Vipond, Thomas and Caroline Stephenson.  In addition, one great-great-grandchild, Penolope Materna.

The family would like to thank the staff of Glenwood Retirement Community for all the wonderful care and love they provided to our mother and grandmother over the last 13 years.

On Friday, August 11, 2023, a time of sharing & gathering will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Chuck Mathena Center, #2 Stafford Common, Princeton, with a Christian Wake Service to held at 7:30 P.M.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Harrison Street, Princeton, with Father Sebastian Devasya as the celebrant. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum at Bluewell.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 507 Harrison Street St, Princeton WV 24740 or to Communicare Cares (designated to Glenwood Retirement Community in memory of Esther Piconi) mail to: Glenwood Retirement Community, 1924 Glenwood Park Road, Princeton, WV  24739. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.  Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com.

The Piconi family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.