Obituary for Elaine Gale DeAscanis (Noel)
Elaine Gale DeAscanis (née Noel) passed away recently on February 5th, 2024. She was born in Pocahontas, VA but moved with her family to New Castle, Delaware at age seven, where she remained as a lifelong resident. Gale was known by many as “Gale D,” “G-RAD,” or “Big Red” – she had auburn red hair at 5’8”. She was the daughter of James H. Noel (“Lullaby”) and Beulah E. Noel (“Bea”). Gale’s husband of 41 years, Amadeo Emmett (“Tiger”) Angelo Anthony DeAscanis, preceded her in death on September 20, 2006. Gale is survived by her dearly loved daughter, Carla Elaine DeAscanis of Fair Hill, MD; her beloved three granddaughters, Kari Elieen Nietert of Lewes, DE, Kelsey Noel Novak (John Novak) of Fair Hill, MD, and Christine Amadea Coleman (Benjamin Coleman) of West Hartford, CT; and her brother Jackie A. Reedy of New Castle, DE. Gale shared a strong mutual admiration, respect, and dedication and remained extremely close to her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and godchildren of the DeAscanis, Dalton, and Reedy families.
She took great pride in being a fantastic cook, serving always with elegance and enthusiasm. She cooked all meals from scratch. She was crafty and a creative designer of any task taken. Gale loved to have her family visit for holiday dinners and special occasions. She appreciated and studied the skill of preparing Italian food and Italian desserts; however, her Southern heritage cooking was kept intact as she had many of her family’s Virginian recipes.
Gale was proud to be a William Penn High School alumnus but attended first grade at the Arsenal on the Green in New Castle, DE. She attended Goldey Beacom College. After graduation from William Penn, she modeled professionally in Philadelphia, PA and was asked to represent the Philadelphia School of Modeling for Miss Press Photographer of Philadelphia. She was also asked to be a participant in the Miss USA Competition representing the state of PA. She worked full time for the DuPont Company and was featured modeling on the cover of the Company’s magazine.
Both she and her husband Emmett were very interested in and very active in the Delaware Democratic Party; she became a Democratic Committeewoman and served as Secretary for the 17th Democratic District. Gale was honored to become a Staff Assistant for then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Special Assistant and driver to Dr. Jill Biden. She and Emmett continued to support and campaign for the Biden family always. Later, Gale became Executive Director of the Delaware State Democratic Party under Samuel L. Shipley, Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. Gale eventually retired from New Castle County Government where she served as an Executive Assistant to the County Executive.
Gale loved God, and during her attendance at Faith City Family Church for 16 years, she served as Director of Sunday School Education of the children’s ministry and served as Director of the Healing and Hospital Ministry. She was a member of Giuseppe Verdi Lodge #2457 Order Sons of Italy; a member of Saint Anthony’s Social Club, where she enjoyed playing with the bocce team; a member of Saint Gabriel’s Italian Order Sons of Italy, also on the bocce team; a member of New Castle Lion’s Club; a member of Friends of Italian Culture; a member of Elkton Moose Lodge; and a member of the New Castle Senior Center. For these past years, Gale attended church regularly at the Barn Vineyard Church in Landenberg, PA.
A graveside service is scheduled on Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00pm at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church Cemetery, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE 19720. Immediately following the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to attend a luncheon at the St. Anthony’s Club, 107 Gray St, New Castle, DE 19720. Gale will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the cemetery of St. Peter’s Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Barn Vineyard Church, 3224 Appleton Rd, Landenberg, PA 19350.
She took great pride in being a fantastic cook, serving always with elegance and enthusiasm. She cooked all meals from scratch. She was crafty and a creative designer of any task taken. Gale loved to have her family visit for holiday dinners and special occasions. She appreciated and studied the skill of preparing Italian food and Italian desserts; however, her Southern heritage cooking was kept intact as she had many of her family’s Virginian recipes.
Gale was proud to be a William Penn High School alumnus but attended first grade at the Arsenal on the Green in New Castle, DE. She attended Goldey Beacom College. After graduation from William Penn, she modeled professionally in Philadelphia, PA and was asked to represent the Philadelphia School of Modeling for Miss Press Photographer of Philadelphia. She was also asked to be a participant in the Miss USA Competition representing the state of PA. She worked full time for the DuPont Company and was featured modeling on the cover of the Company’s magazine.
Both she and her husband Emmett were very interested in and very active in the Delaware Democratic Party; she became a Democratic Committeewoman and served as Secretary for the 17th Democratic District. Gale was honored to become a Staff Assistant for then-Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Special Assistant and driver to Dr. Jill Biden. She and Emmett continued to support and campaign for the Biden family always. Later, Gale became Executive Director of the Delaware State Democratic Party under Samuel L. Shipley, Chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party. Gale eventually retired from New Castle County Government where she served as an Executive Assistant to the County Executive.
Gale loved God, and during her attendance at Faith City Family Church for 16 years, she served as Director of Sunday School Education of the children’s ministry and served as Director of the Healing and Hospital Ministry. She was a member of Giuseppe Verdi Lodge #2457 Order Sons of Italy; a member of Saint Anthony’s Social Club, where she enjoyed playing with the bocce team; a member of Saint Gabriel’s Italian Order Sons of Italy, also on the bocce team; a member of New Castle Lion’s Club; a member of Friends of Italian Culture; a member of Elkton Moose Lodge; and a member of the New Castle Senior Center. For these past years, Gale attended church regularly at the Barn Vineyard Church in Landenberg, PA.
A graveside service is scheduled on Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00pm at St. Peter the Apostle R.C. Church Cemetery, 521 Harmony Street, New Castle, DE 19720. Immediately following the graveside service, relatives and friends are invited to attend a luncheon at the St. Anthony’s Club, 107 Gray St, New Castle, DE 19720. Gale will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband in the cemetery of St. Peter’s Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Barn Vineyard Church, 3224 Appleton Rd, Landenberg, PA 19350.