Venatia Halkenhauser

She was born in Clifton, NJ to John and Margaret (Bahas) Jefferson on March 8, 1934 along with her identical twin sister, Gloria. The family, including her sister, Catherine and brother, Emmanuel (Manny) moved to Manhattan, NY where her father had a dry cleaning and tailor shop.

Venatia’s mother passed away when she was a young child and her father only a short time later, leaving her orphaned as a young teenager.

Vinnie was living in the city when she met her future husband, George at age 16. Through George she met a group of friends that lasted a lifetime. Vinnie and George went on to have 3 children and moved to Hewlett, LI. In 1972, they moved to Roxbury, NJ.

In the late 1970’s Vinnie went back to school and graduated with an LPN nursing degree from Morris County Vocational School. She worked at St. Clare's hospital in Denville, NJ. Eventually, she and George retired to Palm Beach Gardens, FL. After George passed, Vinnie moved to Vista Pines in Stuart, FL where she made many dear friends.

Vinnie loved being a mother and grandmother. She also enjoyed baking, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and being with family and friends. She enjoyed her time in Florida and at the family’s summer home (White Birches) in Rainbow Beach, Lake George, NY. She especially loved watching the hummingbirds visit the window feeder every day at White Birches.

Vinnie was predeceased by her husband George, parents John and Margaret Jefferson, and brother Emmanuel (Virginia). She is survived by her twin sister Gloria (Mike), older sister Catherine, sister in law Barbara (Richard) McGurrin, many nieces and nephews. Venatia’s legacy includes children Linda (Victor) Fasino, Douglas (Virginia) Halkenhauser and Bonnie (Randy) Halkenhauser DeFranco with eight grandchildren Dominic (Shannan) Fasino Antoinette Fasino, Claudia Fasino, Vincent Fasino, Emily DeFranco, Miles DeFranco, Maxwell Halkenhauser, and Eva Halkenhauser. She cherished her 70-year friendship with Clare Silvestri; all her friends at Vista Pines, especially John and Marie; as well as her many friends at Rainbow Beach.

The Family plans to have a private ceremony with life celebrations to be held at a later time in FL and NY. Donations in her name can be made to The Lake George Land Conservancy and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.