Leria Giancaterino

Leria Giancaterino, age 83, formerly of Highlands Ranch passed away peacefully in her home on July 13, 2023. She was the only daughter of the late Antonio and Antonia Silvestrone. She was a graduate of Hempstead High School in 1958. She was an accomplished pianist and would always play whenever she could. She began working as a secretary shortly after graduating high school. She met and married her late husband Pierino (Petey) on July 26,1959. Their first house was in the town of Roosevelt, Long Island. In 1964 they moved to their home in Massapequa, Long Island. It was there that she found her true calling and became a travel agent. This allowed her to travel all over the world but her favorite travel location (besides Italy) was Las Vegas. She and Petey traveled there whenever possible. Sam's Town was their favorite casino. The summer of 1978 she and Petey packed up their 3 kids and moved to Aurora, Colorado. She continued to be a travel agent and even became a teacher at Arapahoe Community College.

In 1995 Leria and Petey moved from Aurora to Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The house they bought Petey called their dream home. Every Sunday they would host family dinner and all their children, spouses and grandchildren gathered around the table. No matter what meal was served, pasta was always on the menu. Everything Leria made, whether it was lasagna, manicotti, meatballs, pizza or the Christmas pizzelles (the list is too long to go into detail) were handmade from scratch. Fruit was always served directly after dinner. The Feast of the Seven Fishes celebrated on Christmas Eve was the highlight of our holidays.

Like a typical Italian family, Leria was the matriarch. She was a dedicated mother and would do anything for her children. Not long ago she became a great grandmother (Nonna to them). She adored all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

As she became older she discovered several other hobbies. She always liked to play bingo at least once a week (sometimes more) and learned to play bunko with neighbors. She also enjoyed happy hour with her bunko girls (as she liked to call them). She also liked to play Texas Hold'em with Petey and her sons. She became quite good at playing, even beating Petey.

She is survived by her three children: Anthony and his wife Angel; Eddie and his wife Cathleen; Suzanne and her husband Jeff; her six Grandchildren: Derek Steven Vaughn and his wife Mandy Lauren; Kaylee Sue and her husband Jeremy Dale Harrington; Cara Rose, Brea Marie, Cory Reed, and Anthony Pierino Giancaterino; two Great Grandchildren: Ryder Dale and Arlo Jeffrey Harrington.

Leria often joked that no one named any of their children or even their pets after her.

The family will receive friends on July 26, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 4:00pm. A service will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, both at Newcomer West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following at the residence of Suzanne and Jeff 5832 W Hoover Place, Littleton 80123.

To leave a special message of condolence for the family, please visit NewcomerDenver.com.


Leria's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.