Grace Pergolizzi

Pergolizzi - Grace, passed away quietly on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at the age of 88. All who knew and loved her, knew that she was a beautiful person who made the most of every encounter and experience. She brought a joyful smile; she appreciated being present in the moment and she was ever grateful for her many blessings. She was an engaging conversationalist and enjoyed sharing and hearing about the lives of her family and friends. Even in challenging times, Grace could be counted on to have a smile, bring a positive attitude and encouraging words of advice.

Grace was born on May 16, 1934, in Brooklyn, NY, to parents Joseph and Carmela Genovesi, the first of three children in a close-knit Italian American family. She was a lifelong learner, attending Fontbonne Academy in Brooklyn, NY, and then St John's University. Grace took her love of learning and parlayed it into a decades-long teaching career. From her early days, Grace was an accomplished pianist, loved Chopin and her beloved Steinway, which was always the centerpiece of her home. In 1960, Grace moved to Smithtown, NY, where she remained until death. It's here that she raised her two sons, A. Christopher and Daniel, who were the light and joy of her life. She loved her adopted hometown, which she referred to as "God's country" and took great pride and joy in the home she created there. In fact, each time she pulled out of her driveway, she would smile and say, "Goodbye, pretty house." As a Smithtown West school teacher, Grace taught Italian and Spanish for 30 years. She was known to all as "Perg' and took pride in the accomplishments of her students and spoke fondly of her colleagues, her teaching experiences, and the young people she met and helped along the way. She shared her love of her ancestral Italian heritage, love for Italy, its language, people, and food with many as she organized and chaperoned annual summer immersion trips to Italy for years. In retirement, she connected with many colleagues and looked forward to deepening her friendships with her Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club, a highlight of her week! Her love for Italian food and cooking was one of her many family legacies. Her nieces and nephews remember fondly "Aunt Grace's meatballs," a staple at family dinners and celebrations. Years later, they still remark how none can ever compare and how they looked forward to sharing time with her and how the large pot of meatballs made it complete! Grace is survived by her son, Daniel and daughter-in-law Deidre, her grandchildren (Michelle and Daniel), her great-grandchildren (Sirus and Lily), her sister Francesca (David), her sister-in-law Joyce and her seven nieces and nephews, their spouses and families. Grace is predeceased by her beloved son, Christopher, her brother, the Honorable Anthony J.Genovesi and her parents, Joseph and Carmela, all of whom she held dear to her heart. The family asks that you take a minute to remember Grace's smile, her enthusiasm for life, perhaps a time you shared, and as Grace would, reflect on your own life with gratitude. May God hold Grace in the palm of his hands.