Bernadette DeFazio

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Staten Islander Bernadette DeFazio, 81, of Westerleigh, a former teacher, talented musician, loving mother and grandmother, died Friday, in Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton.

She grew up Bernadette Kasiurak in Chicago. While she and her sister Vivian were on vacation in Mexico City, she met her future husband of 48 years, Joseph. After meeting only three times, following a year-long correspondence, the future groom proposed, and the couple settled in Westerleigh.

Mrs. DeFazio received her bachelor’s from St. Mary of the Woods College, Terre Haute, Ind. and received her masters from DePaul University, Chicago, both in education.

She was an education administer for the superintendent of schools in Chicago, after her marriage, she worked as a teacher in PS 13 in Rosebank, retiring in 1970.

Mrs. DeFazio was an avid polka dancer. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and traveling to her winter home in the Florida Keys.

She was an accomplished musician, playing the piano and the drums.

Mrs. DeFazio was a parishioner of St. Teresa’s R.C. Church, Castleton Corners.

In addition to her husband Joseph, she is survived by her son Daniel; three daughters, Amy Barsanti, Laura Snider, Carol DeFazio; a sister Vivian Ferenc and six grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Teresa’s Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.