In tribute to our mother please know that Amelia Ann Esposito Vanca born April 8, 1927 has passed over to a better place as of February 12, 2021. Born and raised on Staten Island, NY, she spent her adult life in Binghamton, NY after completing college at Oswego State Teachers College (SUNY Oswego) and marrying Edward Vincent Vanca in 1949. Most important to know about her was her bravery and creativity. She was a first-rate dreamer and doer that inspired her 3 children to pursue their own unique dreams. She took flying lessons in a Piper Cub as a teen, worked as a draftsman on plans for troop carriers as part of the national war effort (WWII), was the first of her large family to go to college, only woman in her chosen field of study at college (Industrial Arts), itinerant art teacher in Broome County in her early years as a new graduate, and dedicated general shop teacher to generations of 7th and 8th grade boys (and later girls too) in Johnson City School District. Awesome pizza and lasagna maker, dress designer and maker, marathon knitter/crocheter, Ham radio operator (WA2NAJ), Polish language enthusiast, opera lover, and history buff; she read armfuls of library books each week and never had an overdue fee. She was a lover of nature, camper/hiker, coin collector, rock collector and jewelry maker. And let us not forget that she was a proud member of her son’s hot air balloon chasing crew. Finally, please know that she never gave up, if there was a problem, she tackled it with her best creative energy. I see her in the amazing talents that she nurtured in her children and subsequently in their children. Love of nature, art, fashion, music and dance all motivated her amazing life. She will be missed and her memory cherished.
She leaves us behind but looking forward to seeing her again: daughter Cheryl Ann Vanca Phillips (husband Tom Phillips), grandchildren Nicole Fernandez, Jeffrey Fernandez; daughter Janice Marie Vanca Kniery (husband Patrick Kniery), grandchild Kyle Kniery; son William John Vanca (wife Veronica Yee), grandchild Michele Vanca, great-grandchild Lev.
She joins her beloved spouse, Ed in heaven and I know there will be dancing!
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