Marion V. Fanuele

The eulogy by Bernadette Morris: My cousin, Aunt Marion's niece, Joan Varkoly, wrote to me a few days before Marion Veronica Fanuele passed away. In just a few words she summed up Aunt Marion. She called Marion Fanuele a "special lady". That, indeed, is so true. My aunt was such a very special lady. We all gather here today in honor of this special lady who touched all of our lives in some very significant way. Marion Veronica Fanuele. Although there are no words that can truly console any of us right now, perhaps thinking about whom she was and what she brought into each of our lives might help us cope with this loss. First and foremost, my aunt was a wonderful sister. Last January my mom, Marion's baby sister, spent two and a half months in the hospital. My Aunt Marion was with my mother almost every single day during my mom's stay. Even in the worst weather conditions, on days where she had little sleep, no matter what she had going on during the day, every evening Marion was at my mother's bedside caring for her. Even when visiting hours were over, if Marion thought my mom was uncomfortable, or didn't look well, or was having any kind of difficulty, she refused to leave. Some nights she stayed until after 10 pm. She was my mom's angel. The only time anyone could convince my Aunt Marion to leave the hospital was on Friday night. That was a night she looked forward to. It was the night she and in her words "her baby brother", my Uncle Dan, would talk on the phone. It made her so happy. I remember how excited she was last year when she received a picture of Uncle Dan and Aunt Harriet. She talked about it for weeks. She always told me stories about Uncle Dan and their years growing up. True to form, always the little mother, Aunt Marion was always worried about her baby brother, especially because, as she would put, he was a skinny kid growing up. Uncle Dan, she loved you dearly. You meant everything to her. Every Friday night, after 9 pm, she looked forward to talking with her baby brother. Then we have her twin, Clare Burden. Is there anyone here that doesn't know that Aunt Marion had a twin? I think not. Everywhere we went, every person we bumped into, Aunt Marion would tell him or her about her beloved twin sister, Clare. And, who here doesn't know the story of how she was the physically smaller of the two because her sister, Clare, took the bottle from her in the crib? But, despite being smaller, she always made certain to let you know that she was the older twin. She made certain to take her place as the eldest sibling. Aunt Clare was always with Marion, in everything she said and everything she did. Clare was her constant companion. I am certain Aunt Marion is happy. Now she is with her sister again in heaven. She was very dear to me, and I know each one of her nieces and nephews has so many special stories that they can tell you about their Aunt Marion. She was a second mom to all of us. Aunt Marion was there for every milestone in all of our lives: first communions, confirmations, weddings, births, and yes, even deaths. Yep, she was always there for us. She wouldn't miss an event--no matter what. She delighted in our triumphs, and like only a mother would do, she would rally by our side to stick up for us even if we were wrongof course she'd scold us later, privately! Even when my father died, my Aunt Marion was there to console my siblings and I as we cried. But, I just have to share with you a story sticks out in my mind, and I am certain you'll all appreciate this. A few days before Aunt Marion passed, she was conscious enough to communicate with those of us around her, by nodding her head ever so slightly. The doctors told us that death was imminent. The medical staff asked my sisters and I to just hold her hand and let her hear our voices. To let her know she was not alone. Well for a few minutes my two sisters were out in the hallway talking to Aunt Marion's dear friends Bill and Irene Quinlan. I was alone with Aunt Marion. I figured I'd sing to her. So, after a few minutes of singing I asked Aunt Marion if she wanted me to stop singing and she nodded her head yes. It was hysterical! It was no fluke because about 15 minutes later my sister Marcie was in the room and she asked Aunt Marion if she wanted me to sing for her and she nodded her head no! Too funny! To Aunt Marion, her family meant everything. I think each of us always knew what was going in each other's lives because Aunt Marion rejoiced in everyone of our lives, and grieved with us when necessary. I think we all know that her family meant everything to her and that she was so proud and protective of each one of us. She loved our children and our children's children. Aunt Marion was indeed a special lady. If I didn't speak about how dearly she loved and enjoyed her friends I would be remiss. To capture the true essence of who she was is to remember how excited she was when she saw her friends. I heard about so many of them, and met many too. David Amamoo, you absolutely delighted Aunt Marion. She truly loved being your Auntie Marion. Bill, Irene, besides just adoring you both, you were always there for her. Bill and Irene, this St. Patrick's Day, just as in the many years prior, she will be there with you to celebrate. She will bring you the lick of the Irish. To all of you, her friends and family, thank you, for each of you made her heart smile. And finally, Aunt Marion's faith was the cornerstone of her life. While her heart certainly beat for her family and her friends, her faith was part of her consciousness and guided her in her life. Aunt Marion, we will miss you, you were and are, a special lady. --------------------------------------------------- Marion V. Fanuele of Ridgewood Avenue, Hurley died March 3, 2010 at Northern Dutchess Hospital. She was born in Brooklyn, a daughter of the late Francis Patrick and Clara Cecilia Kelly Kenny. She was a graduate of Bay Ridge High School and St. John's University. Marion was a grammer school teacher at St Peter's and St Mary's for about 20 years in the 60's and 70's. She was a Kingston resident for over 50 years. She had many friends and was known by all to be a loving, caring person. Her main hobbies were cooking and inviting her friends and family into her home. Her husband Auldwin F. Fanuele died May 15, 1976. Marion was predeceased by her brother Francis Gerard Kenny, her sister Clare Cecilia (Kenny) Burden, two nieces Maureen Kenny and Jean Marie Kenny Yaun. She is survived by her brother Daniel Joseph Kenny of Woodstock, GA and Bernadette Margaret O'Gorman of Saugerties, NY; 12 nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8. The funeral procession will form on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Frank Damis at St. Joseph's Church, Kingston at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary of the Snow Cemetery, Barclay Heights.