Vera M. Amarello

Eulogy offered by her grandson, Joe Baganz at St. Mary's Church... Love has a name, she's called Vera Martino Amerello. A.K.A. Mommy, Mom, Nana, Sister, Ster, Godmother, Aunt, Niece, Cousin, or just plain Vern. Today we say good bye to a cornerstone of the Martino and Benicase family. A lady whose life work sits here in the pews and watches down from Heaven. She dedicated her life to her family. It was never easy, born to a widowed mother, she learned at an early age that taking care of each other with love and understanding would get you through the toughest challenges. Ten siblings, many cousins , nieces, and nephews that she treated like her own children. She had seven beautiful girls, that meant the world to her. The toughest challenge any parent can face is the tragedy of burying their child. She did it twice. With the grace of God by her side, she led the family through tragedy time and again. She did it with an inept understanding of love and a deep faith in Heaven. And she did it with a hug that would sooth your soul. Nana had a legendary hug. The first time I remember being comforted and healed by her hug was when our Pop passed away. We had driven in from Massachusetts, The family was gathering at 20 Foxhall Ave. and one by one Nana gave that hug to all of us. When she gathered me up and held on tight she told me that Pop could now keep an eye on us over there in Massachusetts and that I would see him again. But it wasn't just me. We all got hugs. Daily, often, good times and bad times. A Nana hug became a right, a requirement. Did you give Nana her hug? Where's my hug? That hug was a method for transferring love, for within that hug, Nana would pass along not only love but also prayer, tradition, respect, and a deep faith in the fact that no matter what could be wrong as long as we have each other then everything will be alright. On Sunday evening we had to give our Angel back to Heaven. Waiting for her were not only her husband Marshal, daughters Marsha and Nancy, but her Brothers, Sisters in law, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Friends, Mother, Stepfather, and for the first time, she met her Father . We must know that she will always be here with us. All you have to do is think about her. Cook something that she cooked for you. Help out when you can. Give hugs to whoever needs them, and most of all LOVE EACH OTHER!! ------------------------------------------------------------- Vera M. Amarello of Hasbrouck Ave., Kingston died Sunday, December 12, 2010 surrounded by her family, at Kingston Hospital. She was 86. She was born in Kingston to the late James Martino and Susan Amato Martino Benicase. Her step-father, Frank Benicase, died previously. Vera attended Kingston schools, worked at the Hercules Powder Plant during WW II and later retired from Sears. She enjoyed cooking for her family and spending time with them. She was involved with the Kingston American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the "American Cancer Society, Relay for Life" (Angels in the Outfield), 95 Schwenk Dr., Kingston, NY 12401 or www.relayforlife.org. Vera came from a large family. She had the love of her brothers and sisters Jennie Serra of Town of Ulster, Thomas Martino of Kingston, Rose Grube of Town of Ulster, Samuel Benicase of Kingston, Frank "Hank" Benicase of Kingston, Janice Turck of Kingston, and the late Charles Benincasa, Michael, James and Joseph Benicase, and Thomas "Pete" Benincas. Also surviving are her sister in law Mickey Sonner and aunt, Ann Cardinale, who she loved dearly. She married Marshall Amarello on Sept. 8, 1946 and together they had seven daughters, Rita Gromoll and her companion Roger Nickerson of Town of Ulster, Mary Maden of Rhinebeck, Patricia Gallo and her husband Paul, Michele Amarello and Lorain Amarello, all of Kingston, and the late Marsha Jean and Nancy Amarello; ten grandchildren Christopher Gromoll, Elizabeth Baganz, Joseph Baganz and his wife Elizabeth, Rebecca Schermerhorn and her husband Daniel, Gregory Maden, Gabriella Gallo, Adam Noble and his wife Danielle, Marc Noble, Jessice Nagy, and the late Marshall Gromoll; thirteen great grandchildren Steeler, Quinn, Sarah, Olivia, Dylan, Jack, Chase, Devin, Carmen, Brady, Katelyn, Samantha and the late Timothy. Her husband died Feb. 8, 1983. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Wednesday from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral procession will form on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Please click on the "Photo Gallery" for a Photo Memorial Tribute.