Obituary of Phyllis Ann Venza

Phyllis Ann Venza, also affectionately known as "Nonnie", "Zizi" and "Auntie Sis" passed away at home on October 3rd at 95 years of age. Phyllis was born July 9th, 1922 in San Francisco to Sicilian immigrants Rosario and Rosalia Scaduto and was the oldest sibling to her 4 brothers. She attended schools in San Francisco and married Vincent Venza in December 1941. She and her husband moved to Monterey in 1949 so that he could make a living in the commercial fishing industry locally, and also in Alaska and San Pedro. He named his fishing boat the "Phyllis V" in her honor. She was very proud of her home; being able to maintain the household and care for her daughters while her husband was away fishing, sometimes for extended periods of time, and lovingly referred to her home as her "castle". She enjoyed crocheting many blankets and slippers for family and friends, doing needlepoint, reading novels, cooking, making traditional Italian cookies, and hosting large holiday dinners. She was most happy when surrounded by family and friends eating her home-cooked meals. In her later years, her favorite activity was her weekly ride by the shoreline. She was a former member of the Italian-Catholic Society and a donor to the St. Joseph's Society. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vincent, and her 4 brothers John, Salvatore, Michael and Peter. She is survived by her 2 daughters, Maria (Tom) McKibben of Morton, Illinois and Rosanna (David) Wachtel of Prunedale, plus 4 grandchildren, Todd (Monica) McKibben of Sandpoint, Idaho, Marcus (Courtney) McKibben of Orland Park, Illinois, Dr. Sarah Wachtel (Jesse Eggers) of Palo Alto and Adam Wachtel of Salinas, in addition to her 4 great-grandchildren, Torrin & Mahone McKibben and Nicolas & Cassidy McKibben. She also leaves many cousins, nieces & nephews and numerous Godchildren. Phyllis's family would like to thank her many caregivers, plus the VNA Hospice and Dr. Cindy Lee. Visitation will be held at Mission Mortuary, on Wednesday, Oct. 11th at 5 pm with recitation of the rosary following at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at San Carlos Cathedral on Thursday, Oct. 12th at 9:30 am, with burial to follow at San Carlos Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the VNA Hospice, P.O Box 2480, Monterey, CA 93940. Phyllis will be sadly missed, but remembered forever with love.