Fairfield, CT -- Mary Francischiello Venezia, age 94, of Fairfield, CT, beloved wife of 69 years of Ralph Venezia, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2016 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was born on June 7, 1922 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to the late Giovanni Francischiello and Ernestina Occhionero. She was predeceased by one sister, Josephine Cellini and two brothers, Constantine and John. She is survived by her sisters Anna DelGrande and Dora Francischiello and brothers Silvio, William and Robert and brother-in-law Stephen Venezia. Her memory will lovingly be remembered by her four children, Rosemary McCulloch, and her husband, Robert, of Southbury, CT, Ralph Venezia, and his wife, Marie, of Monroe, CT, MaryAnn Venezia, of Monroe, CT and Steven Venezia, of Fairfield, CT; 10 cherished grandchildren; Robert McCulloch, Richard McCulloch, Stephen and Gayle McCulloch, Jennifer and Sean Sullivan, James and Kathleen Kinsella, Marilyn and Matthew Holst, Gregory and Jaclyn Kinsella, Valerie and James DeMarco, Ralph Venezia, Carolina and Robert Prendergast; 11 great-grandchildren: Madison and Amber McCulloch, Everett and Lucian Holst, James, Maeve and Liam Kinsella, Hannah Sullivan and Raven, Julianna and Emily Prendergast.
While working at the Commercial Shirt, Mary met the love of her life, Ralph, at a dual birthday celebration - they were born on the same day and year. Ralph and Mary were married in 1947. They moved to Fairfield, CT in 1951 and have lived in the same home since then. Mary worked as a seamstress at Howlands (Steinbach) for many years until her retirement. She loved traveling to St. Petersburg, Florida every winter, going on trips and cruises to Europe, Hawaii and all over the US with her husband. Mary enjoyed cooking, shopping, spending long days on the beach in the sun and collecting shells, swimming and taking lots of family pictures. However, her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family. She was selfless – she put everyone she loved before herself. Mary was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister; she will be truly missed by her family and friends.
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