'The grandchildren lit up her life'
On Aug. 7, 1931 Dorothy Visnosky was born to Polish immigrants who settled in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, N.Y. The youngest of three children, her two older brothers, Walter and William Visnosky, doted on their baby sister who was nicknamed "whitehead" because of her platinum hair. Dorothy had beautiful blue eyes that everyone commented on and she would always offer jokingly to share them.
Dorothy Visnosky graduated from Curtis High School and was signed to a modeling agency, where her career was cut short when her father William heard from Dorothy's older brother that she'd have to model bathing suits. In came a handsome dark-haired man with black eyes, Agostino Ciaramello, whom she married and settled down in New Brighton with their three daughters, Fran Ciaramello, Angela Ciaramello, and Claudia Ciaramello.
Products of PS 17 and the Assumption Church, Dorothy became active in the church and school, appearing in skits and plays and holiday shows with her great singing voice.
Dorothy worked at the Jersey A+P as a checker and Conte's meat market as a bookkeeper for many years before moving to Westerleigh with family.
Later in life, she set another hardworking lesson and went back to school for nursing. A proud mom at graduation and on to work until an accident forced her to retire.
Her family and friends were her life. She loved cruises with our Dad and trips to Florida and Atlantic City as well until Dad passed. "Mom had a party personality, and enjoyed as much as she was able to," stated her daughter, Fran, "everyone loved her!"
The grandchildren lit up her life, all nine of them, Frank Reali 3rd (deceased), David Reali, Christopher Reali, Tom Reali, Jessica Serrano Groller, Raymond Serrano Jr., Chelsea Serrano Novak, Craig Marquardt and Erik Marquardt.
Spouses of the grandchildren include Lola Reali, Erika Reali, Nikia Reali, J.D. Groller, Corey Novak, Patricia Marquardt and Hilary Marquardt.
From this group Dorothy became the great Grandma, "Gigi" to 21 great-grandchildren who loved and cherished her.
"God is good!" she would always say.
Surviving are her three daughters and husbands she counted as sons, Fran Reali, husband Frank Reali; Angela Serrano husband Raymond Serrano, and Claudia Marquardt and her husband Arthur Marquardt, plus the brood above .
Mom passed away Oct. 24, 2019, at 5:23 p.m. and entered into a peaceful place without illness and met the people she was longing to be reunited with.
Vistation will be on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Casey Funeral Home, and also on Tuesday at 8 a.m., with services at 9:30 a.m., also at Casey Funeral Home. Interment will be in Silver Mount Cemetery, Victory Boulevard.
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