Carolyn O'Neill

She was born on August 30, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Frank Bonanno (deceased) and Josephine Giannavola Bonanno (deceased). She is survived by her son James O’Neill and daughter Jennifer Rosenberg. Grandchildren Kaylee O’Neill, Omar O’Neill, Sean Sobel-Rosenberg, Lillian Rosenberg, Zachary Rosenberg, Bryan Rosenberg. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Bonanno. By her niece, Lori Gaglioti, nephew in-law, Lino Gaglioti and great niece, Gabriella Gaglioti. She is also survived by her niece Kari Bonanno and many cousins.

Aunt Carolyn was not a conventional woman. She was funny and quirky and had a booming laugh! She loved holiday celebrations with family. She had a deep faith in God. Her life was not easy to say the least. She survived Polio as a child. She married and although the marriage didn’t last, it give her her two greatest gifts. She struggled as a single mother to provide a good life for them. She did everything she could for them as any mother would, working hard to meet their needs. She went back to school and became a nurse. It was one of the proudest days of her life. We were all there to celebrate her achievement. She learned to drive a car at forty years old, another proud moment. She did the best that she could to raise her children and her grandchildren and her life was full of ups and downs like the rest of us.

Unfortunately, life began taking a toll on her physically and the Polio that she fought as a child began to effect her body. As she grew older she could no longer care for herself. She resided at the Ocean Promenade Nursing Center in Rockaway Park, New York for the last seven years.

Our dad and aunt at times were not always close but as time went by they developed a deep friendship and they spoke to each other all the time. At the end of each conversation they would always tell each other they loved one another. Aunt Carolyn was a fighter. She fought through every struggle that was put in her way. Her life may not have turned out the way she would have liked but it never broke her spirit. Her faith in God was always there for her. We could not be there with her in her final hours but she knew we were all praying for her. Our dad was able to speak to her and like they would always do, he told her that he loved her at the end of their conversation. We will never know when the last time we may get the opportunity to let each other know that we love them. In times like these when life is so uncertain don’t let a day go by without saying “I love you”. Aunt Carolyn we love you, we’ll miss you forever and we will never forget your laugh.