Elvira Cody (born Cavallaro), aged 90, passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2024, beside her family in Wilton. She was born on April 11, 1934, in Cesarò, Sicily. Elvira, her parents, and siblings were the first of her family since 1727 to leave Cesarò, let alone venture to New York for a new life. Elvira grew up on Staten Island and called the borough home for over 80 years. She attended New Dorp Public High School, where she met the love of her life, William Michael Cody Jr. The couple married on Aug. 23, 1958, at St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church and had three children. They raised their family as people of faith, kindness and strength, enjoying traveling the globe together and long days at the beach.
A devout Catholic, Elvira Cody spent her life in service of God, pursuit of adventure and caring for her loved ones. She supported her family and friends through times of joy and periods of suffering with endless prayers and skillfully homemade meals and desserts. Her recipes for cream puffs, custard, butter cookies, pizza dough, scones, pasta sauce and more continue to nourish stomachs and souls. Elvira taught the art of gratitude to her five grandchildren by example, showing them how to seek wonder and awe all around them. From embarking on trips in remote corners of the world, to searching the night sky for planets in her own backyard, Elvira’s desire to grow in knowledge and honor beauty was never quenched. Her passion for world history in particular burned bright throughout her life, prompting her to tune in online for collegiate art history courses during 2020’s pandemic.
Elvira made an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless children by serving as a tutor through the Staten Island JCC and privately for decades. In this way, she imparted her wisdom and love for learning to her beloved community. Over the course of Elvira’s life, she bore witness to the island’s journey through history, recalling the docked World War II naval warships at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard and picnics at Reeds Willow Basket Pond. In 1966, Elvira was instrumental alongside the City Planning Commission in helping preserve parklands in the Dongan Hills area. In 2019, Elvira moved from Staten Island to Wilton, where she continued to touch the lives of her family, friends, neighbors and aides with her kindness, wisdom and commitment to her faith.
Elvira now enjoys eternal rest with her faithfully departed family, including her husband William Michael Cody Jr.; parents Maria and Francessco Cavallaro; siblings Connie and Paul Pappalardo, Bobbie and Ed Szulecki, Nancy and Joe Appignani, and Vito Cavallaro; and dear friends. She is survived by her children Claire (Cody) and Noah Miller, William and Laura (Ingallinera) Cody, and Kevin and Michelle (Ogden) Cody; her grandchildren William and Ruth (O’Donnell) Cody, Thomas and Kelly (Vail) Cody, Lauren Cody, Rachael Miller-Henderek and Martin Henderek, and Brian Miller; her great-grandchildren William Cody, Patrick Cody, Robert Cody, Rosario Cody, Christopher Cody, Josephine Cody and Nicholas Cody. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Alice (Cody) Pandullo and Barbara Cavallaro, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Family, friends, and others are invited to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Wilton at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 for a funeral mass celebrating Elvira’s life. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the deceased’s name to Doctors Without Borders online.