Obituary of Noemie deVenoge Cannizzaro

The life of Noemie Cavallero de Venoge Cannizzaro… Noemie “Mimi” de Venoge-Cannizzaro, age 84, passed peacefully at home with her family at her side in the early hours of Wednesday, May 29, 2013. She died of natural causes and the effects of a debilitating stroke suffered 15 months ago. Mimi was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York to parents both from northern Italy. Mimi would have become a restauranteur and chef had the work places of that era (and a protective father) accepted women in such roles. Her devoted father, Gene Cavallero, was a restauranteur and owner of the famed Colony Restaurant that opened in 1920 and operated for 50 years in the same location on Madison Avenue in New York City. Her devoted mother Noemie Rosset was a linguist and worked as a translator in Italian and French to English. Mimi also spoke multiple languages and attended the Garden Country Day School in Jackson Heights, Convent of the Sacred Heart in Manhattan, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown New York. Mimi was the face of Manhasset and beyond. She was a devout Catholic who was active in the Rosary Society at Saint Mary’s Church. A proud American, Mimi also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Manhasset VFW Post 304. Mimi had an effervescent, upbeat, and confident personality. She was the one smiling at you as she stood on her head in Yoga class, or as she treaded water on a noodle during water aerobics at Plandome pool. Mimi was always intellectually engaged, well read, and current with world affairs, even as she moved at rocket-speed managing her four children and caring for her husband. Mimi tenderly cared for both of her parents and her mother and father in-law in their old age. She was a buzzing example of just how much capacity the human spirit and body has to offer to their family, community, and Parish. For years she was a volunteer at The Abilities Center in Albertson, New York, a nonprofit organization that works with severely handicapped children. Mimi was a dynamic and vivacious individual who was always courteous and cared deeply for absolutely everyone that crossed her path. Mimi married the first love of her life, Vincent Paul de Venoge of Corona, Queens, in 1951. He was a Marine officer that served heavy combat duty on Guadalcanal, and in the Battles of Peleliu and Tarawa. The couple moved to Manhasset from Queens in 1963. In their home on Park Avenue, they raised four children. Mimi and Vincent were active participants in Manhasset Community events, regular parishioners at St. Mary’s Church, and active members of Plandome Country Club. They were both avid golfers. Mimi’s passion for cooking from her restaurant background was put to good use with the raising of her family, and she was the hostess/cook for many dinner parties and family events. After the passing of Vincent de Venoge in 1981 (at age 62 of cancer), Mimi found the second love of her life and married retired CPA and Marine Officer, Victor Cannizzaro, in 1985. Victor Cannizzaro served spotting naval gunfire in the epic battle for the South Pacific island of Iwo Jima. Victor was in the very first wave in the first hour of the Marine assault on the island on February 19, 1945. Victor’s image was captured in the photo taken by the famed war photographer Joe Rosenthal on top of Mount Suribachi, titled “Gung-Ho.” Mimi is survived by Victor and her brother Gene Cavallero Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona; her four children, Laura Furey (spouse Ray Furey), Marie de Venoge, Marc de Venoge (spouse Marylou), and Paul de Venoge (spouse Carol); and Victor’s daughter from his previous marriage, Carol Hernandez of Orlando, Florida. Mimi is also loved and will be sorely missed by her 7 grandchildren, Marie Wilson, Michael Furey, Michael Ceccarelli, Sarah de Venoge, Anna Christine de Venoge, Juliette de Venoge, Vincent de Venoge and 10 great-grandchildren, God-child Claudia Landeger-Malaya, relatives, and friends from New York; New Smyrna Beach, Florida; her cousins and friends in Largo De Garda, and Montova, Italy. The wake for Mimi will be held at the Fairchild & Son’s Funeral Chapel, 1570 Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, New York from 2 to 5PM and 7 to 9PM on Sunday, June 2, 2013. A Catholic funeral Mass will be held on Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10AM at St. Mary’s Church, 1300 Northern Boulevard, also in Manhasset, New York. The family would ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or specifically to an upcoming Multiple Sclerosis “Mud Race” co-organized by Mimi’s grandson at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/mikefurey