Bernadette Caligiuri, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away on Dec. 22, 2015, after her battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband Pat Caligiuri, her 10 children and 21 grandchildren.
Caligiuri was born Dec. 3, 1937, and was a devoted wife and family matriarch.
A longtime resident of Vero Beach, Caligiuri was full of life and could barely fit all of her personality in a five-foot-two frame. Her bellowing laugh was infectious and when she wasn’t playing with her grandchildren, she could be spotted trying to make par on the Grand Harbor golf course.
Born in the Bronx, on Dec. 3, 1937, she was a vivacious daughter of Mary and Joseph Brady. She grew up with her two brothers, Tony and Joe, and sister, Mary, in Manhasset, Long Island, N.Y.
Although her Irish Catholic parents had hoped she would devote her life to a convent, her free spirit called for much different plans. After six months of nursing school, the golden age of air travel beckoned her. Soon enough, she was jet-setting across the world as a stewardess for National Airlines.
In October 1962, she married Harold Tucker Jr. and had four dynamic children, all of whom inherited her vibrant spirit for life: Harold (Harry) Tucker III, Kathleen (Katie) Tucker, J.Sheridan (Jay) Tucker and Coleen Tucker (Coleen Rickey). She raised her family on the outskirts of New York City. Her children meant everything to her and she devoted her life to raising a close-knit family with strong values. She had nine wonderful years of marriage when the unthinkable happened. After losing her husband, she continued to raise her family with the help of her faith and devotion to the church.
In December 1973, she met Pat Caligiuri, the Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and a fellow widower much like herself. Pat was raising five wonderful children of his own, Gary Caligiuri, Patricia Caligiuri (Teese Mosenthal), Michael Caligiuri, Joseph Caligiuri and Francis (Frank) Caligiuri.
She and Pat soon fell in love and decided to combine their families and raise all nine children together. On June 8, 1974, Pat and Bernadette married and brought their families under one roof, a house on Tallulah Lane in West Islip, N.Y.
In 1981, the Caligiuri’s were surprised to discover they were expecting a son together, Patrick Caligiuri, the 10th addition to their amazing family. The Caligiuri family moved to Vero Beach where Caligiuri would devote herself to family, grandchildren and her life passions, golf and world travel.
We, her family, are so very thankful for the blessing she has been in our lives and in the lives of others.
Condolences can be shared with the family at www.andersonmcqueen.com.