Lydia Strano Rojas of Goshen, NY, entered into eternal life on September 22, 2023, at Garnet Health Medical Center, with her loving family by her side. She was 99 years old. 

Born in Brooklyn on January 2, 1924, she was the daughter of Francesco and Carmelina (née Bonvicino) Strano, immigrants from Sicily. 

Lydia dedicated her life to education, as a dietician/nutritionist and as an administrator in the New York City Department of Education in the Bronx.  

Lydia is survived by her husband Ralph, her daughters Lynn DeBellis and Camille Di Dio and her grandchildren Joseph Di Dio III and his wife Johanna and daughter Lydia; Paul Di Dio and his wife Christine and daughters Alessia and Chiara; Ben DeBellis and his wife Aileen; Daniel Di Dio and his wife Amy and children Abigail and Anthony and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother Salvatore Strano and sister Christine Pavano, and son-in-law Joseph Di Dio. 

The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, September 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. A funeral service will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, at the funeral home followed by a mausoleum entombment at Ferncliff Cemetery, 280 Secor Road, Hartsdale, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lydia’s memory to help wounded veterans (support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or promote the language and culture of Sicily (www.arbasicula.org).