Jeanette Virga Sansone, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away on April 20, 2014.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Sansone whom she was married to for 64 years, with the 65th anniversary coming on September 4, 2014.
She is also survived by one son, Perry Anthony (Roseann Knight) Sansone; grandchildren, Caroline, Benjamin and Allison; cousins, Edward and Linda Scott and Frank and Gaye Formica; a nephew and niece Leonard Morganelli and Andrea Morganelli; and many other cousins in New Jersey and friends throughout the entire east coast.
Sansone graduated from Pratt University in N.Y., and received her Master’s degree from Columbia University. She worked during college at the flagship Macy’s store in Herald Square and taught in the Jersey City School system until 1962.
She and her husband moved to Cocoa, Fla., as Ralph pursued a career with NASA at Cape Kennedy. They lived in Cocoa until 1970 then moved to Charlotte, N.C. In North Carolina she taught school for several more years and helped start the Christopher Columbus Club of the Carolina’s that is still going strong today.
After living in Charlotte for 15 years, they moved back to New Jersey, living in Point Pleasant Beach until they tired of the winters and decided to move back to Florida. Based on relatives’ recommendations they chose Vero Beach, where she lived very happily for the last nine years.
Her faith was strong and our memories of her are stronger. She lived with cancer for 13 plus years yet she never let it define her. She defined cancer. Her “can do” attitude, her smile, her positive thoughts and refreshing outlook have given us all inspiration. We will always remember her for her sense of humor, her grace and dignity.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a Prayer Service at 6 p.m., at the funeral home officiated by Deacon Hoch of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church of Vero Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.