Vera Teresa Bianco

Vera immigrated to the United States as a young girl, arriving at Ellis Island in 1934. Vera’s family settled in Brooklyn, New York. She attended the High School of Fashion Industries in Manhattan, New York for a period of time before leaving to begin working in New York’s Garment District to help support her family. She would continue to work in this field, in various locations and roles, for the next 65 years. One of her great pleasures was to use her skills to make clothing and accessories for family and friends for everyday use as well as for special occasions. She was also handy and creative in many other areas, and enjoyed working on home improvement projects with her family.

In 1964, Vera married Joseph Bianco, also of Brooklyn, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church. They would spend the next 56 years together raising two children in Brooklyn and Staten Island. They relocated to Matthews, NC in 2014.

Vera was an enthusiastic hostess, and amazed her guests with elaborate Italian-American feasts on holidays and Sundays throughout the year. She attended as many of her grandchildren’s baseball and softball games as she could, and was their biggest fan and critic. She also loved all animals, and was a supporter of animal welfare charities. She cherished her many pet cats and fish through the years.

Vera was predeceased by her husband Joe Bianco; and is survived by her children, Matthew Bianco (Kim) and Joanne Zaffarese (Raymond). She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Raymond Zaffarese, Bianca Zaffarese, Joseph Zaffarese; Sophia Bianco, and Sonia Bianco. The eldest of five children, she was predeceased by her sister Mary and her brother Joseph Caramanica, and is survived by her brothers Anthony Caramanica and Armando Caramanica.

Vera’s faith grew strong at the end of her life. She loved reading the Bible daily while she was able and hearing the Bible read to her when she was unable to read it for herself. She said that she felt the Lord’s presence very near to her, and her strong faith was evident by the peace and joy that overflowed throughout the entirety of her illness.

A visitation will be held on March 10 at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel in Mint Hill, NC with a prayer service at 4:00. A graveside service will be held on March 15 at 11:00 at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.