Obituary of Viola A. Surace

Viola A. Surace Viola A. Surace, 91, of Rome passed away Monday, February 20, 2017 with her family at her side. She was born in Rome, NY on November 11, 1925. She was the daughter of the late Ralph and Christina Rizzuto Mirabelli. She married the love of her life, Joseph Surace, on November 22, 1947 in St. John the Baptist Church. He passed on March 7, 1985. They are reunited once again to share their deep love for each other. Viola loved playing golf for many years with her husband Joe, and her closest friends. She was most happy when she could watch her grandchildren play baseball, soccer and football. She was an enthusiastic fan and proud grandmother. Guitar and piano music played by her children and grandchildren filled her house and heart with noise, laughter, and dancing. In addition, she spent several years volunteering at the former Rose Hospital. She and her husband Joe took great pride working side by side running the Dairy Isle ice cream store. Viola's first love and focus was her family. She treasured every moment with her three children: Carol Ann and her husband Clifford Anderson, Longboat Key,FL, Joseph and his wife Betty Surace, Rome, Sandy and her husband Daniel Stetzel, Rochester, NY. She took great joy watching her seven grandchildren: Joseph III, Kari and her husband Dan, Mark and his wife Laura, Patrick, Daniel, Lauren, and Mathew grow and prosper. Her five great grandchildren: Joseph IV, Jack, Leo, Liliana and Penelope filled her with laughter and joy. Also surviving are her loving sister, Polly Sanzone, Rome, her brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Claire Mirabelli, Rome, sister in-law, Mary Spinelli, Rome, and several nieces and nephews. Viola was predeceased by her husband, Joe, an infant granddaughter, Christina Lynn Anderson, a sister and brother-in-law, Camille and Orlando Carnebianca, a brother and sister-in-law, Pat and Mary Mirabelli, sisters- in-law and brothers-in-law, Betty and Charles Searles, Tina and Jamie Sonsini, Rose and Paul Vaccaro, and Tony and Corena Surace, and a brother-in-law, Josh Surace. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Church. Friends may call at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd., on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Church Memorial Fund, 1807 Bedford St., Rome, N.Y. 13440 or Rome Rescue Mission, 411 E. Dominick St., Rome, N.Y. 13440. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com