Erma "Mema" L. Magnanti, 94, passed away Tuesday, September 14, 2021. She passed peacefully but unexpectedly after recovering from a short illness. Erma was born in Bath, N.C., on August 21, 1927, to the late Mollie and George Cordon. She was predeceased by her sisters, her brothers, and Edward "Eddie," her loving husband. Erma and Eddie met while he was stationed near Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia. One of their favorite stories was how they met. Erma was a telephone operator and was on her lunch break with two of her girlfriends who worked with her. As they were walking down the street, Eddie and two of his sailor friends passed by and circled back around to talk with them. Eddie quickly walked up to Erma and said to his friends, "I saw her first!" That's how their romance began. They were married for 67 years and settled in Mattydale, NY. Erma spent most of her life as a homemaker. She was a member of the Home Extension Club of Onondaga County for many years. Her family came first, and she especially enjoyed the times spent with her children, grandchildren, and in later years with her great-grandchildren. Erma thought she was Elvis Presley's #1 fan and filled her home with Elvis memorabilia. She also liked to collect little stuffed animals. Many of these items were brought with her when she lived at Buckley Landing Assisted Living the last 7 years of her life. Erma leaves behind her son, Gerald Magnanti of Mattydale; her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Robert Cain of Liverpool; her grandchildren, Danny, Carrie Ann, Donny and Gina; and several great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren knew her as "Mema," and her great-grandchildren called her "Great Grand Mema." Memories of her will be cherished forever and she will be greatly missed. A special thanks to the staff at Buckley Landing for the loving care she received the many years she resided there. Contributions in Erma's memory may be made to Mattydale Volunteer Fire Dept., 173 East Molloy Rd., Mattydale, NY 13211 or NAVAC, P.O. Box 215, North Syracuse, NY 13212. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale. Funeral Services will be held privately. Burial will be in North Syracuse Cemetery.

Published by Syracuse Post Standard from Sep. 16 to Sep. 19, 2021.