Elvira Champa

CHAMPA: Elvira Champa, 99 of Oakdale, passed away peacefully on Dec. 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born Sept. 19, 1926 in new London the daughter of the late Santo and Santa (Purpora) Cortina. Elvira graduated from the former Champman Tech. High School, class of 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, John Champa in 1949 in St. Joseph Church. The two remained together for 70 years until his passing in 2020. Elvira was an avid sewer, and although she was a very good student, her proudest moment was being voted Best Dressed, considering she made all her own clothes. She spent months, hand sewing her wedding gown, working tirelessly with imported Italian lace. Even people who weren’t invited to the wedding, waited outside the church to see her wedding gown she made. She spent most of her working years as a seamstress for working for Meshekow Furs being her longest and last place of employment. Even after retiring, her boss talked her into coming back part-time because of her expertise in sewing silk linings into luxurious fur coats. After fully retiring, she spent the next years doting on her husband and two sons.  Spending many family vacations and trips with just her husband, and later solo trips every Christmas to NYC, to visit her son. Braver than most 80 years old women, one of her biggest joys was walking around the Crystal Mall looking at all the clothes. Her husband would drop her off late morning, coming back late afternoon to pick her up, having window shopped for the day. Elvira later began playing cards with a group of ladies from the neighborhood, and it was the highlight of her week. She formed a bond and friendship to her last years and loved those ladies with all her heart. In her later years she looked forward watching The Wheel of Fortune with a snack. She also loved doing the crossword and crypto quote out of the New London Day, she would sometimes brag, figuring out the crypto quote puzzle in just her head. After lunch she would play solitaire, winning a game always put a smile on her face. She will be missed terribly but knowing she is now at peace and reunited with her husband John in heaven. She is survived by two sons, John A. Champa and companion Debra Duberg of Oakdale, Jamie Champa of Nashville.  Grandsons, Ryan and Cody Champs of Wisconsin, a great granddaughter, Aryanna. She was predeceased by two siblings, Rose Cosantina and Francis Cortina.  Her family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5 to 7 pm at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 am in St. Joseph Church, New London. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

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