Jennie Vita Abruzzo

JENNIE VITA BACCELLIERI ABRUZZO SEPTEMBER 7, 1932 – OCTOBER 21, 2019 It is with great sadness that our beloved Mother ~~ Jennie Vita Baccellieri Abruzzo ~~ left this earth on October 21, 2019 at the age of 87 years at the Florida Advent East Hospital, Orlando, Florida. Born in Loseto-Bari, Italy on September 7, 1932, she came transatlantic by ship from Italy to America in 1934 with her Mother Rosalba, and sister’s Maria and Rose to reside in Brooklyn, New York with Joseph Baccellieri, their father a WWI Veteran and American citizen. Jennie Vita was a proud graduate of the NYC Needle and Trades School in Manhattan where she learned her skills in cutting, sewing, fabric and design. She was always so proud to say she studied at that school which required entry skill testing. The school opened in 1940 on West 26th Street in NYC and has finished in the 96th percentile of all New York City schools. Mom became a seamstress and made her own wedding dress and she designed and made dresses for her family, as well as for others. At 17 years old she held the title of “Miss Williamsburg Runner Up” of the Miss Williamsburg Bathing Beauty Contest”; and won a Victorola Console. She married at a young age of 19 years to her first husband Gabriel Destio. As a wife and mother, she worked as a waitress to help support her family, doing the best she could to see that her children were provided for. Jennie Vita lived in Bushwick, Richmond Hill and then Woodhaven New York with her second husband Salvatore and children. Mom spent many days preparing Italian specialty dishes and desserts for the Holidays. She would love having the entire family over to her house to share the day. Even on her death bed, she said to us, “I’ll make lasagna and a turkey for you when we get home”. She really loved cooking for the family. Jennie was a fantastic bowler and won many awards. She loved to dance and sing whenever she had the opportunity. In the late 1990’s she moved to Orlando, Florida to be near her beloved sister Maria. And then found comfort with her Bingo family and friends in her later years, she enjoyed and always looked forward to BINGO on weekends. Jennie Vita is predeceased by her mother Rosabla Cianciotta Baccellieri and father Joseph Baccellieri, her second husband Salvatore Abruzzo, three sisters, Maria, Constance and Lena. Nieces Debbie and Gina and nephew Robert (Chip). Survived by her twin sister Rose; children Lucille, Roseann, Joseph (Phyllis) and Michelle; grandchildren, whom she adored, Richie, Eric (Tanya), Melissa (Nick), Tristan and Lauren; great-grandchildren who she always asked about and wanted to see pictures and videos of them; Natalya, Perry, Richie, Hunter, Reese, Evan and Vincent. Nieces and nephews, Louie, Joseph, Marie, Ellen, Rudy, Lucille, Rosemarie, Eddie, Carl, Salena, Angelique. Mom always made reference to one nephew in particular whom she said “was like a son to her” and that is Joseph Boschetti, he took the time to care and show love for our mother in Florida, and we her children are forever grateful to him. Mom is now at peace walking with Jesus, young and beautiful, laughing and having good times with family and friends in heaven. We, her children miss talking to her every morning, but we know she is looking down on us from heaven and watching over us. A memorial service and burial of ashes at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn New York; where Jennie Vita wanted to be laid to rest in peace with her husband Salvatore and Mother Rosalba, will be held in the early May 2020. There will be a date announced to family and friends. An added note from Jennie Vita’s family: Mom died after a fall and of lung complications caused by cigarette smoking. Mom may have lived longer if she didn’t smoke. We wish she didn’t smoke…. Please do not smoke….live longer. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please donate to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org. Thank you, the family of ~~~~~Jennie Vita Baccellieri Abruzzo~~~~ Safely Home I am home in Heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty In this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last. Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh! But Jesus’ love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus’ arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely, For I love you dearly still: Try to look beyond earth’s shadows, Pray to trust our Father’s Will. There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth- You shall rest in Jesus’ land. When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!

Jennie Vita Abruzzo

September 7, 1932 - October 21, 2019