| Date of Birth | October 3, 1939 |
| Passed Away | March 20, 2025 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Service Date | March 27, 2025 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell |
| Interment Location | Willowbrook Park Cemetery, Dunkirk, NY. |
Ellen M. DeSanto
HORNELL – Ellen M. DeSanto, 85, formerly of Hill Street, passed away early Thursday afternoon at Elderwood at Hornell, where she has resided for the past eight years.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA on Oct. 3, 1939 she was a daughter of the late Edgard Read and Bessie Mae (McMachan) Read Humphries. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Francis R. “Sonny” DeSanto, who she married in Hornell on Aug. 9, 1959; two sisters, Lynn Ward and Joan Battey.
A former resident of Dunkirk, NY, Ellen was a graduate of Dunkirk High School and has resided in Hornell for most of her life.
Throughout the years she was employed by the former Penn E Saver in Canisteo, NY, The Evening Tribune and the Hornell Housing Authority.
Ellen was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a devout communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell and a member of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel.
She enjoyed spending time sewing, crocheting and late-night baking.
She is survived by her three children, David (Lisa) DeSanto of Texas, Lynn (John) DiMartino of Rochester, NY and Mary Ellen (Pat) Smith of Hornell; five grandchildren, Amber Smith (Cody Greene), Elyssa (Zach) Stewart and Haydn Smith, Natalie and Alex DiFiore; one brother-in-law, Richard DeSanto of Rochester, NY; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. THURSDAY (MARCH 27, 2025) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at St. Ann’s Church, 35 Erie Ave., Hornell, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 P.M. THURSDAY. Interment will be FRIDAY (MARCH 28, 2025) at Willowbrook Park Cemetery, Dunkirk, NY.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to Elderwood at Hornell, 1 Bethesda Drive, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Ellen’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Ellen are welcome below, or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
Lynn, I’ll forever cherish our beautiful visit with your mom. She gave me such a special friend in you. Your humor and smile are definitely from your mom. I love you so much and am honored to have met your mama. ❤️