Gathering: 10 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the Village Lutheran Church Friendship Room
Service: 11 am Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at the Village Lutheran Church, Bronxville
R.I.P. Genevieve Vergari
Genevieve Vergari of Yonkers, NY, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday evening, March 12th. She was born on June 21, 1922 to Lorenz & Agnes Lindemann in Enderlin, North Dakota where she grew up with her late brother, Bohn. She graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma National and Madrigal National Music Sororities as well as being elected the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Fraternity. An accomplished vocalist, she played starring roles in college musical productions of Victor Herbert’s Sweethearts and Lend Me Your Ear. Genevieve was also a weekly soloist at the U.S.O. and for St. Mark’s choir in Fargo and would later star in a Concordia College production of Aida. In 1944, she moved to N.Y.C. to attend N.Y.U. where she received a Masters degree in Merchandising and Retailing. Initially residing at the Barbizon Hotel for Women, she was invited to reside in Yonkers with the family of a classmate who would become a lifelong friend, Jean Romano D’Apice. There, she met the love of her life, Carl Vergari, a Marine Captain on leave from the Pacific. While Carl was attending law school, Genevieve become a resident buyer for Maier & Frank Dept. Store of Portland, Oregon. The couple married in North Dakota in the Blizzard of 1947 and lived on Riverside Drive. When their son, Bohn, arrived in 1949, they moved back to Yonkers, where their daughter, Jeanne, was born in 1952, and they raised their family. Gen became a teacher in the Yonkers Public Schools where she worked for over 26 years leaving a lasting legacy to the many, many students lucky enough to have Mrs. Vergari as their home economics teacher. A most gracious hostess, she imparted to them life lessons and a sense of style. She also shared recipes with the readers of Spotlight and Hudson Valley Magazines in her monthly Food Column. When Carl became Westchester County District Attorney, their life together became more public, but their love for life and each other was always vividly on display. Whether on the dance floor, at the dinner table or leading the singing around a piano, it was a joy to be in their company. Through it all, they enjoyed with their children summers in Long Beach, car trips to North Dakota and Richmond, visits to our National Parks and Broadway. When Bohn married Jane D’Apice, the daughter of their friends, John and Jean, and Jeanne married Michael Martinelli, the son of their friends, Carol and Angelo, Carl and Gen became very much a part of the extended D’Apice and Martinelli families. Most of all, Carl and Gen enjoyed each other. Their love affair spanned 52 years and was a model for all to behold. Gen was a person of great charm and indomitable will. A survivor of childhood polio, her graceful determination was always on display. She loved her family above all. Wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, hostess, teacher, grandmother and great grandmother, Gen touched the lives of countless people with her boundless generosity, support, kindness, selflessness, enthusiasm for life and love. She will be missed by all. Predeceasing Genevieve was her beloved husband, Carl and her beloved son, Bohn. She is survived by Bohn’s wife, Jane Vergari, her daughter, Jeanne (and her husband, Michael), her grandson, Bohn C. Vergari, Jr. (and his wife Chris), her grandson, Carl A. Vergari, her granddaughter, Jeanette Martinelli, her grandson, Michael A. Martinelli, Jr. (and his wife, Jeanna) and her great grandchildren Little Bohn, Olivia, Stefano and Baby Angelo.The family will be present to receive visitors on Wednesday, March 16th at 10 am prior to the Memorial Service which will take place at 11 am at the Village Lutheran Church, 172 White Plains Road, Bronxville, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations to Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org) would be appreciated.
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