Obituary of Maryann T. Venechanos

Maryann T. Venechanos was welcomed into her Heavenly home on September 7, 2023. While she will be missed by many, she is embraced by her loving husband Peter T. Venechanos, who predeceased her in 2007.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and friend.

Maryann studied teaching at Brooklyn College. She was a lifelong learner who never lost her curiosity and was always delighted in finding out more about the world.

Maryann devoted her life to helping others as God called her to.  She was a paralegal at corporate law firm Beekman and Bogue, and having worked with many attorneys turned politicians, was an active advocate in fighting for human social and civil rights and public health. She educated young minds as a substitute teacher at Wallenpaupack and arts-and-crafts instructor in Hemlock Farms, where she also co-founded a food ministry called Manna to deliver food and give rides to needy families in her community.  She taught religious education and was a Master Catechist and devout parishioner at Saint John Neumann Church, Lords Valley, PA. She opened her home to young people in need and welcomed guests and friends into her home and life as family… all were welcome.  She was often called “Mom” and “Grandma” by many because she was Mom and Grandma to all. She truly left a legacy of love that is felt by all whose lives she touched.

Maryann was a woman who found joy easily. She was a voracious reader and a creative writer who penned several children’s books and short stories. All her life she loved cooking and baking, and was always eager to welcome all to her table and nourish those she cared about with lovingly prepared feasts or tins of cookies. She loved music and was known for belting into song and dancing vivaciously. The plants and flowers that filled her living room and deck were just as lovingly tended as everything else in her life. She enjoyed living among nature and feeding animal visitors, and had many beloved furry companions throughout her life. Her kindness and bright smile will live on to everyone who was lucky enough to come in contact with it.

The daughter of the late Mary (Vassallo) and Thomas A. Mollo Sr., Maryann was born on April 23, 1946, in Brooklyn, NY. She was married on October 26, 1969, in Brooklyn, NY to the late Peter T. Venechanos, NYPD and Vietnam-era Army veteran. She was also preceded in death by her brother Thomas A. Mollo Jr and his wife Florence (Salatino).

Survived to cherish her memory in love are her children: eldest daughter, executive producer Dawn Robinson and grandchild, Angela Robinson, her daughter, Cathy Colacci and her husband Scot Jr., her son, Peter J. Venechanos; her siblings: JoAnn DeJonge and her husband Robert, Judi Mollo-Simone and her husband Christopher, and John Mollo and his wife, Joan, “foster” children Lavelle Butler, Amanda Harlin, Jason Hernandez, Richard Paul Arnold, Amy Rodriguez, and “foster” grandchildren Layla Hernandez, Sophie Hernandez, Joshua Silver, Alana Arnold, Ebijah Butler, Adalia Butler, Ayanna Butler and as well as many nieces, nephews and friends, and loved ones.

Friends may call at the Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford Street, Milford, PA 18337 on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 1 to 4 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 6 PM on September 14, 2023, at Saint John Neumann Church, 705 Rte 739, Lords Valley, PA 18428 with Reverend Boyle officiating. There will be a reception (light dinner) in the hall before mass (4:30-6PM) and refreshments (coffee and desserts) served afterwards.

Friends and family who are unable to attend, may stream services via zoomhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/86526608291?pwd=c2tmMWpadGhJMFIwOW1NN1VUQUVjZz09  (Meeting ID: 865 2660 8291, Passcode: 273180)

Burial will be September 15, 2023 at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA 17003-9618.

Funeral donations are welcome, and can be made directly to the Venechanos family or electronically via Paypal at maryannvenechanos46@gmail.com.

Memorial donations may be made in honor of Maryann to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children 200 Wilson Circle, Boulder City, NV 89005 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting (https://www.stjude.org).

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford Street, Milford, PA 18337 (www.stroyanfuneralhome.com).