Bianca Rina DeMeo Santaniello   Class of June 1932

Submitted by Pauline Rute Hall 1952 <Grammypgh@aol.com> on 30/Dec/2012
205.188.117.67

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      Bianca Rina DeMeo Santaniello died on Christmas morning at Vermont Respite House. Her daughter Carol, son-in-law, Tom Spencer, and much loved grandson, Theodore, were holding her hands when she died. She had been living at the Respite House since mid-October. She had three wishes, which were fulfilled, when she realized she was sick: no pain, no shots, and never let me skip a meal. Blanche has lived in Vermont for the past 3 years, having chosen, at age 91, to leave the retirement abode she had shared with her husband in Lakehurst, NJ, and at age 95, her second home, in Delray Beach, FL. While in both New Jersey and Florida, she traveled and continued to flourish after widowed, with loving support from her daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Herb Buriel. Blanche was born on April 1, 1914. She was 98 years and 8 months old when she died. This year she traveled to Florida twice to see her extended family, went to Mass at St. Peters in Vergennes every Saturday, enjoyed her twice weekly outings with her friends: Bootsie Morris and Barb Lavoie, and, being Italian, continued to stuff the peppers, peel the garlic, and set a beautiful table for family and guests. Look for her on January 7th, as she and her husband of 54 years, C. Theodore Santaniello, watch the Notre Dame championship game from heaven's alumni section. He's been warming up her seat there since 1992. Although they've been in different seats these 20 years, by and large she hasn't missed a game. Blanche was also predeceased by her daughter, Bonnie Santaniello Buriel, (1943-2005), and her sister-in-law, Catherine Sandy. Blanche and Chrish raised Bonnie and her sister, Carol, in Port Washington, NY. Blanche, a working woman ahead of her time, was the office manager for Roll-O-Matic Garage Doors, a family owned business begun by Ed Gunther in the mid 1950s. She was also an active member of the Catholic Daughters at St. Peters Church and a working member of the Board of Elections, running the polls for many years. They attended dances regularly, put on by the Knights of Columbus, and other local organizations. They loved to dance and did it well. Blanche and Chrish put their children through St. Peters School, Weber Junior High, and Schreiber High School. Both girls attended college close to home (Bonnie at Adelphi, and Carol at Barnard), and went on to professional careers. This was a source of pride for both parents. Bonnie married Juan Heriberto Buriel in 1967, and Carol married Tom Spencer in 1984. Blanche's parents, Alfonso DeMeo (died in 1958) and Alesandrina Benevento DeMeo (died in 1979) were born in Volturara Irpina, Italy, where they married and moved to the USA on their honeymoon to start a new life in 1913. They came by ship to New York City directly, by-passing the steerage immigrant requirements of Ellis Island, as first class passengers, a source of family pride. She is survived by many first, second and third cousins from both sides of her family, in that village in southern Italy. Her parents returned to Italy only once, in 1950. Blanche returned to the village four times, and her offspring continue to visit. Alfonso DeMeo worked for Dupont in Newburgh, NY, throughout his life, and was featured in the Dupont Fabtonian in 1949, when he retired with 35 years of service. Blanche was predeceased by her brother, Giotto DeMeo, who died in 1931 of a misdirected javelin throw to the head, at the age of 15 years. Her sister, Gloria DeMeo Henderson, now of Delray Beach, FL, was also born and raised in Newburgh, NY. Blanche is predeceased by Gloria's daughter, Christine (Tina) Henderson Wilkinson, who died in 1983. Blanche graduated from the Broadway School in 1928, and from Newburgh Free Academy in 1932. Her best friends throughout her life were Lee Galoti Dwyer, and Harriet Moy MacMillan, both of Newburgh, NY. After high school, Blanche worked at Kresge's Dollar Store in Newburgh, (a more upscale store than the five and dime store there, in the days when a dollar WAS a dollar), in the underwear department. She often referred to the sales and management training she experienced there. She married Chrish Santaniello and moved to Port Washington in 1938. He was her childhood friend and sweetheart. During World War II, Blanche moved back to Newburgh when her husband enlisted, where her mother and sister helped her raise her first-born, Bonnie. She and her first cousin, Rina DeMeo Lombard, worked as writers and proof-readers for the Newburgh News. In addition to their other duties, they wrote the weather. If they didn't know what it was going to be, they looked out the window and described what they saw. Blanche DeMeo Santaniello is survived by her daughter and family: Carol, Tom and Theodore Spencer; her much beloved son-in-law, Juan Heriberto Buriel, married to daughter, Bonnie, from 1967 until 2005, and whose love and support helped her to remain independent in her home in Florida for years after Chrish's death; her sister and family: Gloria and Ralph Henderson, and their children: Linda Henderson Recio, and Ron and JoAnn Henderson, and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her much beloved first cousins, children of her mothers sisters: Rina DeMeo Lombard and her children, Susan Jenkins, and Bill and Stephen Lombard; John and Lane DeMeo; Mary DeMeo MacMurdy and family; and by her good friend, Bob Dalton. Blanche bonded with the Hospice caregivers, both here in her home, and at Vermont Respite House for the last two months. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to: Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Route 7 North, Middlebury, VT 05753. We are eternally grateful to the nurses and staff who helped us when Mom first became ill. They helped us keep her at home for more than two months, providing advice, personal care, and their medical expertise. To contact family: carolleespencercom