WESTFIELD – On June 18th, 2024, the world lost a very precious angel. Mary Jo V. Mennona (1967-2024) transitioned peacefully in her home in Westfield, MA with her husband by her side. She endured a yearlong battle against brain cancer. MJ may have lost her battle, but her soul soared to the heavens. She is an angel after all.
MJ’s life was a tapestry of living, loving and laughing. From childhood through her adult years, she attracted so many friends and acquaintances with her beauty, charm and quick wit. Her bright eyes and beautiful smile sealed the deal for nearly everyone who met and knew her. MJ made a life for herself early on by receiving her B.S. in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University – Cum Laude in May 1996. She went on to receive her M.S. in Remedial Reading and Remedial Language Arts at the University of Bridgeport in August 2005. Her career spanned work at two Stamford law firms for 10 years, and then at various grade schools in Stamford before her last school in East Granby. She focused on special education which truly showcased her love, kindness and empathy in a classroom setting. So many of her students stayed in touch with her long after they moved on. She was loved by students and staff. Her dedication to excellence in special education was exemplary.
MJ’s leisure pursuits included travel, reading, dining with friends, shopping and spending time with family. She was also very much a beach girl. She loved the CT shore and in particular, Newport, RI. Mary Jo was a very independent and successful career woman. In 2012, she met the man that she would eventually marry the following year at a gorgeous winery in Clinton, CT. MJ moved from CT to Westfield, MA to be with her new husband, stepdaughter, stepson and Sophie, her cat. For the next eleven years, MJ spent time traveling, enjoying friends new and old, planting flowers at her home, work and spending time with her new family as well as family in Monroe, CT. MJ was born on March 1, 1967, to Mary Ann and Anthony J. Mennona, Jr.
Mary Jo (MJ) is survived by Bob Bernardara, Sr. (husband), Jessica Bernardara (stepdaughter), Robert Bernardara, Jr. (stepson), Julia Sileo (future daughter-in-law), Anthony J. Mennona, Jr. (father), Mary Ann Mennona (mother), David Mennona (brother), Patricia Mennona (sister-in-law), nieces and nephews Debra and Vincent Infante, Jamie Mennona, and Anthony J. Mennona, great-nieces Brooke and Riley Infante, Charles Broadhurst (uncle), Marion Ienner Broadhurst (Aunt), Frank T. Ferretti, Sr. (Uncle), and Victoria Mennona Iacuzio (Aunt).
MJ is predeceased by Anthony J. Mennona, Sr. (grandfather), Victoria Racaniello Mennona (grandmother), Willian E. Broadhurst (grandfather), Josephine Verrastro Broadhurst (grandmother), Arthur Iacuzio (uncle) and William Bernardara, aka Papa, (father-in-law). She also leaves behind many cousins, friends, and other extended family members.
Donations in Mary Jo’s memory can be made to the Glioblastoma Research Organization at gbmresearch.org/donate. A celebration of MJ’s life will be held at Crystal Ridge Winery in South Glastonbury, CT on July 12th from 11:30 – 2:30. Additional details will be published on Facebook.
