Bernice “Nice” Cannone, 95, of Scotch Plains, NJ died on Friday, July 18, 2025. Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 23rd from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Rossi Funeral Home (1937 Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076). A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 AM at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church (2032 Westfield Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076) Live stream of the funeral mass will be available at St. Bart's Live Stream. The graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 24th, at 11:30 AM at the St. Gertrude Cemetery (53 Inman Ave., Colonia, NJ 07067).
Bernice was born in Vallata, Italy to Francesco Stanco and Antonia (Gallicchio) Stanco on January 4, 1930. As a teenager, she assumed the responsibility to care for her deceased aunt’s family, and they are forever grateful. She married Michele (Michael) Cannone, also from Vallata, in 1955. In 1957, she emigrated by herself to meet her husband, who had arrived a year earlier in the United States. They initially lived in Elizabeth, NJ where they had four children: Nicholas, Michael, Frank, and Assunta. In 1970, the family moved to Scotch Plains, where Bernice lived for the rest of her life.
Bernice lived a remarkable life. She was married for over 60 years and raised a family of four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She valued hard work, family, education, and empathy. She not only continued many traditions from Italy but also created many of her own new traditions in the United States. She and her siblings loved to make tomato sauce every August using their special recipe and process. Bernice cherished her relationship with her younger sister Fausta. They spoke every day and treasured their time together. Throughout her life, she used food, work, and tradition to unite and connect with her family and friends.
She valued her role as the matriarch of the family. Even though only a second-grade education was available to her, Bernice provided sage advice to her family and friends, who valued her wisdom and experience. She faced many challenges, which she handled with an incredible level of calm, strength and resourcefulness. She made friends easily, even when there was a language barrier, and loved to shop and socialize; and, of course, cook for family and friends.
Bernice never took for granted her many blessings and was quick to help others who were less fortunate.
In her later years, Bernice liked to travel. She lived in Scotch Plains, but also liked to spend time in Ocean Gate, Bradley Beach, Pompano Beach, Florida and Italy. Wherever she resided, she made her home a welcoming place for friends and family.
Bernice is predeceased by her beloved husband Michele, her sister Fausta Lettini, and her brothers, Pasquale Stanco, Nicola Stanco, and Clemente Stanco. She is survived by her devoted children: Nicholas (Mary-Jo), Michael, Frank (Emily) and Assunta Karr (Andrew); her nine grandchildren: Nicole Wegman (Nicholas), Michael (Brittany), Teresa, Anna, Madelyn, Nicholas, Matthew, Patrick, and Ryan; her precious great-children: Thomas Wegman, Charles Wegman and Nicholas Cannone; and her surviving sister Elsa Manzi.
Bernice will be forever remembered as a woman who followed love across an ocean, built a beautiful family, and enhanced the lives of many throughout her 95 years.
In lieu of flowers and in furtherance of Bernice’s and Michele’s commitment to education, donations may be made in Bernice’s memory to The Michele and Bernice Endowed Scholarship at Seton Hall University and mailed to Mr. Jeffrey Austin, Senior Director, Seton Hall University, University Advancement, 457 Centre Street, South Orange, NJ 07079.https://www.givecampus.com
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