Carmela Paolucci

Carmela (Mimi) Paolucci, 97, of Albany, New York, and (briefly) Chicago, Illinois, passed away in her sleep at the Belmont Village Memory Care Facility in Chicago, Illinois, on February 5, 2026.

Born and raised in Albany, NY, Mimi was the daughter and older child of John and Carmela (Lofaro) Rappazzo. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1946 and went on to work for NY Telephone Company. During this period, she met the love of her life, Albert Paolucci, to whom she was married for more than 77 years.

Mimi was a devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was proud to be a stay-at-home mom and homemaker, whose family always felt the outpouring of her love—demonstrated concretely in the form of Italian delicacies and copious baked goods. Her special prune cake was requested at every family event. She was legendary among her grandchildren’s college friends as the supplier for their snack habits during exam time.

Mimi is survived by her daughter Elaine Paolucci Seeskin (Barry Seeskin). She was predeceased by her loving husband Albert F. Paolucci and her son, Steven A. Paolucci (Paula Paolucci). She was the devoted grandmother of Zachary Seeskin (Lindsey Seeskin), Abigail Seeskin (Rachel Stebing), and Nathaniel Seeskin (Soham Sinha), and cherished great-grandmother of Ariel Seeskin, Ansel Stebing, and Naomi Seeskin.

Mimi is also survived by her brother Christian Rappazzo and sister-in-law Angie Riani. She was the proud aunt and great-aunt of many. The devotion of all of Mimi’s nieces and nephews—but particularly Rachel Rappazzo, David Rappazzo, and Leona Shelton—is very gratefully acknowledged.

Mimi was also predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Joseph Paolucci (Helen), Palma Guiffre (Joseph), John Paolucci (Josephine), Lucy Bremm (John), Thomas Paolucci (Barbara), and Barry Riani.

To honor Mimi’s life, the family kindly requests donations to Blessed Sacrament Church, in Albany, NY, or to Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago, Illinois.

Visitation will take place on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 8:00 am - 9:00 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 9:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12206. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie NY.