Obituary of Annette Farnoly

Annette Pugliese Farnoly, 81, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, surrounded by her family and her husband of 57 years, Joseph Farnoly. Born January 9, 1928 in North Bergen, New Jersey, Annette was the daughter of Thomas and Louise Avoletta Pugliese. She was a graduate of Millville High School - Class of 1945, and attended Rider College and was awarded a scholarship for music. Blessed with a classical female singing voice , mexxo-soprano, she utilized her talent to win the title of "Miss Millville" (now "Miss Cumberland County") in 1951. Annette also competed in the 1951 "Miss New Jersey Scholarship Pageant: and was voted First Runner Up. She excited the pageant audience with her vocal performance of tht "Lord's Prayer." The 1951 Miss New Jersey Pageant was the only year in which a tie-vote occurred after the judges' initial balloting for Annette and eventual winner Bernice Massey. She would later declare that she was fortunate not to have won the pageant on the second balloting and compete in the Miss America Pageant because it gave her an opportunity to marry her husband, Joe, on October 11, 1952. Annette was the loving mother of four children, Kathy Ragone, and her husband Paul, Thomas Farnoly and his wife Francie, Maria Gifford and her husband Brian and Joseph Farnoly. She was also the grandmother of 11 grandchildren, Jenifer Ragone Vertolli and her husband Dave, P.J. Ragone, Caroline Fanoly, Thomas Farnoly, Jr. and his wife Meg, Megan Elizabeth Farnoly, LTJG (USN); Daniel Farnoly LTJG (USN); John Farnoly, Annie Farnoly, Joseph Farnoly, Courtney Gifford and Blake Gifford. Annette is also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Mia Claire Vertolli. She is survived by her beloved brother, Frank J. Pugliese and sister-in-law Evelyn Pugliese of Naples, Fla. and Sea Isle City, NJ. ; brothers- in- law and sisters-in-law Josephine Pekich and Dew Black of Bridgeton; Dom and Marge Farnoly of Pennsauken. She also leaves behind very special nieces, nephews and dear friends. Most important in her life was her love of family and enjoying many special summers in Sea Isle City with them; and being a life-long resident of Millville. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8th from 8:00 to 10:30 A.M. at Rone Funeral Service followed by funeral liturgy at 11:15 at St. Mary Magdelene Church, 621 Dock St., Millville, NJ . ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360. Donations in Annette's memory can be made to the Shrine of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, P.O. Box 203, Landisville, NJ, or SJH Hospice Care, P.O. Box 160, Bridgeton, NJ To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERAL SERVICE.com