Mrs. Mary Spence Vernale

Mary was born in Stamford, CT on August 16th, 1955, daughter to Russell C. and Nancy K. Spence, and graduated from Darien High School, after which she pursued a career in the restaurant field.

Mary met her husband, Steven, in Connecticut and together they relocated to Venice in 1994. A second marriage for both, they wed on Manasota Key beach among family and friends in March, 1995.

Prior to her illness, Mary worked at Chilis in Venice as a server for 15 years.

A loving daughter, she was also the primary caregiver to her mother, Nancy, prior to her passing in 2006. After "retiring" from Chilis, as a life-long animal lover, Mary volunteered many hours at St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice, the Suncoast Humane Society, and the Wildlife Center of Venice. Mary's other passions were reading and sunbathing at Casperson Beach.

In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her sister Ann (Peter) Wenzel of Venice, her sister Marcia (Donald) Burt of Torrance, CA, Brother- in-Law Todd (Patti) Vernale, St. Petersburg, FL, Brother-in Law Darrin (Shelly) Vernale, Dania, FL, Sister-in-Law Marisa (Billy) Franzese of Coral Springs, FL, nephews Russell Wenzel, William and Michael Franzese, nieces Madelyn and Oliver Burt, Tatiana and Iliana Vernale, Stepson Steven (Sue) Vernale, grandson Andrew Vernale of Granby, CT, and Godparents, Victor and Lucille Dolcetti of Darien, CT.

Mary was a loving, caring and generous wife and sister and will be greatly missed by all her family and the many, many friends she has made during her years here in Venice.