Belinda Frade Venancio

Belinda F. Venancio, 74, of Perkasie, PA; formerly of New Jersey passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025 at her residence after a 15 yr long hard fought battle with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine cancer. She was the loving wife of Nancy Ghilardi for 40 years. Belinda was born in Newark, NJ to the late Clarimundo "Larry" Venancio Sr and the late Emilia (Frade) Venancio. In addition to her parents, Belinda is also predeceased by her sister Celia Venancio Orlowski, and her nephew Roy Robert Orlowski, and her sister-in-law Patricia Ghilardi Norton. A graduate of North Arlington High School, North Arlington, NJ class of 1968. In 1972, Belinda graduated from Montclair State College in Montclair, NJ and went on to earn her M.A. from Eastern Kentucky University. While at Eastern Kentucky University, Belinda was a women's AIAW basketball official. Belinda had a multifaceted career which began as an Assistant Athletic Director and women's basketball coach at Fordham University. She was also the basketball and softball coach at Summit High School in Summit, NJ before accepting the position of assistant Athletic Director and women's basketball coach at Ramapo College in Mahwah, NJ. Belinda later transitioned into a career as an IT Professional for AT&T, Lucent Technologies and Avaya before finishing up her career at Merck for the past 18 years. Belinda was an outstanding athlete in basketball, softball and volleyball. For six years, she played Class A Fast Pitch softball (Linden Arians) and played on state champion AAU basketball teams. Belinda won numerous M.V.P. and all Tourney Team awards. She was inducted into the North Arlington High School Hall of Fame in 1999. Belinda was an avid sports fan, especially enjoying football and basketball and was Joe Montana's number one fan. Anyone who knew Belinda knew she loved everything Portuguese... food, music and the culture. Besides being survived by her beloved wife Nancy, Belinda is survived by her brother, Clarimundo "Larry" Venancio, Jr (Judi), her sister in law Gail Cree (Doug Halpern) and brother in law Glenn Ghilardi (Sue). She is also survived by many nephews and nieces: Anthony Venancio (Maryann), Clarimundo "Larry" Venancio III, Stacy Orlowski, Robert Orlowski (Morgan), Emily Norton Merfeld (Kiel), Lucas Norton (Kat), Lydia Norton, Sarah Ghilardi, Jenna Ghilardi and Jesse Ghilardi. Belinda is also survived by the little joys in her life, her Grand nephews and nieces: Joseph DiMascio, Matthew Venancio, Mason Orlowski, Maverick Norton Jensen, Finley Merfeld, Hannah Orlowski and Mattie Merfeld. A Memorial gathering will be held in New Jersey on Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 10am -1pm at Nazare Memorial Home, 403 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, NJ. Belinda will be missed dearly by her wife, family, friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to: Cycle for Survival - Participant: Nancy Ghilardi / TEAM BELINDA 633 Third Ave, 5th floor, New York, NY 10017 cycleforsurvival@mskcc.org. Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, PA. 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com