GERMANIA FRANCES DELL’ERA SITOMER
1950-2021
Germania Frances Dell’Era Sitomer passed away on September 15, 2021. She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Dr. Charles I. Sitomer; her beloved daughters; Gabrielle Anne Sitomer and husband, Jason Koy; Elizabeth Jeanne Sitomer and husband, Brian Thayer; and Amanda Leigh Sitomer Smith and husband Jamison Smith. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Ashlyn Rose, Landon James and Callan Reid Koy; Johnathan Hunter Thayer; Ainsleigh Grace and Jamison Parker Smith. She also leaves behind her sisters, Grace Ann Dell’Era Schairer, husband Steven, and son, Matthew Schairer; Domenica Dell’Era Catalano, and children Frank and Sophia Catalano; and her mother Rose Mary Natuzzi Dell’Era.
Germaine was born in Richmond Hill, Queens,
New York on April 15, 1950 and grew up on Long Island, attending Island Trees High School, graduating in 1968. She went on to graduate from the Lennox Hill Hospital School of Nursing in 1971. Chip and Germaine met at Mercy Hospital Rockville Center, Long Island when he was working as a night orderly, while a student at NYU, and she a Coronary Care nurse. They were married on July 22, 1973 while Chip was attending Medical School in Guadalajara, Mexico. Germaine continued to work in nursing throughout Chip’s medical school years learning Spanish along the way and teaching American Style Nursing while working as the Head Nurse of the ICU in the new University Hospital in Guadalajara. When they came back to the States for Chip to finish Medical School in New York, they began their family. She was a constant worker in the communities where they lived, teaching American Red Cross CPR and babysitting classes, and working in school activities in Danville, PA during Chip’s Urology residency. They came to Houston in July of 1984 when Chip began his private practice. She was his nurse, office manager, and bookkeeper throughout the early years of his practice. During that time, she became active in the Harris County Medical Society Alliance serving in many positions and culminating in her election to its Presidency in 2000.
She also served in many other positions in the Texas Medical Association Alliance. Germaine was passionate in the administration of the HCMSA Nursing Scholarships and in Nursing Education, working with the many candidates to the Schools of Nursing in the Houston area as both friend and advisor.
Nothing came before family. Germaine loved celebrating the holidays with her husband and girls; her Santa collection and Christmas cookies brought great joy to all. Her girls continue to carry on this family tradition. She was devoted to her church and her children. She was active in their lives – she was Homeroom Mom, Soccer Mom, Horseshow Mom, and a second mom to everyone. She shared the girls’ passion of training and showing the Arabian Horse. She, Chip, and the girls traveled both nationally and internationally garnering many National and International Championships and other high honors. She was active in the Arabian Horse Association and local horse shows, serving as needed. Her devotion to her children was equaled only by her love of her grandchildren. Her legacy lives on in each of them.
She was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2013 and tried to keep as active as she could as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and in the HCMS Alliance. She will be remembered by her friends and family as simply “the girl who wouldn’t say no.” She was loving, warm, giving and welcoming. When asked, she served. When there was need, she saw it, advocated for it, and pitched in. She will be missed on so many levels.
The family wishes to thank all those who took her under their wings, included her in their lives, and came to visit Germaine at home. Your love and caring are not forgotten.
A funeral mass will be offered at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 11720 Joan of Arc Drive, Houston, Texas 77024, on October 8th at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in Germaine’s name to the Harris County Medical Society Alliance Nursing Scholarship Fund.