Barbara Cannizzaro

Longtime Prince's Bay resident Barbara Ann Cannizzaro, 75, a retired school secretary who loved writing journals and love letters to her grandchildren, died Tuesday at home.

Born Barbara Ann Kirilenko in South Beach, she had lived in Prince's Bay for 56 years. A graduate of New Dorp High School, Mrs. Cannizzaro held an associate's degree in applied science from the College of Staten Island.

She had been a secretary at PS 44 for 20 years when she retired in 2001. She was a member of the Staten Island Secretaries Association.

A parishioner of St. Joseph and St. Thomas R.C. Church in Pleasant Plains, Mrs. Cannizzaro was a member of its Rosary-Altar Society and Ladies Guild.

Mrs. Cannizzaro enjoyed cooking, photographing and videotaping family events, writing journals about family memories and trips and writing love letters to her grandchildren. She also knitted Christmas stockings for her family.

She was everybody's friend,' said her daughter, Annmarie Vallebuona. She loved to help the underdog, making sure everyone was taken care of and everyone was included and everyone was loved.'

Surviving, in addition to her daughter, Annmarie, are her husband of 56 years, Mark Cannizzaro; her sons, John P. and Mark F.; her daughter, Theresa C. Padula, her sister, Dr. Linda Kirilenko and 10 grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph and St. Thomas Church. Cremation will follow.

Services: St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church Saturday, June 14, 2014 9:30AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Thursday, June 12, 2014 & Friday, June 13, 2014 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Thomas The Apostle RC Church