Eleanor Bevilacqua's Obituary
BEVILACQUA, ELEANOR (NORA) SALEMME (1911-2012)
A gracious, generous and faith-filled woman, devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully in her home on June 25, 2012 with her family at her bedside. Eleanor was born September 22, 1911 to Angelarosa Nicolais and Antonio Salemme in Cairano, Italy, Province of Avellino. In 1927, she emigrated to the United States with her parents and one of two brothers. A year after her arrival in Brooklyn, she met Michael Bevilacqua and following his completion of medical school and residency, they married on September 7, 1935. They celebrated 75 years together until his death in July 2010. She was always his “Nora dear.”
A full-time homemaker, Eleanor assisted her husband during the early years of his medical practice in New York. As the children grew, she began volunteering in their schools. In 1958, the family moved to what is now Pinecrest. Because of her generous nature and commitment to her church, she spent countless hours volunteering in various parish, school and archdiocesan activities. She shared one of her many creative talents by designing and crocheting delicate altar cloths and linens. She was a volunteer at Epiphany Catholic School in South Miami, St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami, and the Dominican Retreat House now the Morningstar Renewal Center, in Pinecrest. She was a member of and Spiritual Director for the Women’s Catholic Club of St. Louis Parish in Pinecrest, a member of the Women’s Club of Good Shepherd Parish in Kendale Lakes, a charter member of the former Catholic Home for Children in Perrine, a member of the Legion of Mary and the National Council of Catholic Women. In conjunction with her husband, she helped to inaugurate the Parent Association at Christopher Columbus High School. Her spaghetti and meatballs were always the hit of many school fundraisers. She also enjoyed collaborating with her husband, Michael, in his various leadership roles in Serra International locally, regionally and internationally.
To acknowledge the breadth and quality of Eleanor’s service and generosity and the example she set for others to share their talents and “treasure,” she was inducted into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, USA holding the titles of Lady of the Order, Lady Commander and Lady Grand Cross. For “giving personal witness to the gift of salvation and the universal call to holiness of life to the glory of Almighty God and the good of His holy people,” in 2005 then Archbishop of Miami, John Clement Favalora, conferred upon Eleanor the highest honor in the Archdiocese, Primum Regnum Dei. As supporters of Barry College, now University, Eleanor and her husband received the “Order of the Flame.” In 1992, “the Year of the Family” Barry University paid tribute to Eleanor and her husband by awarding them honorary doctoral degrees.
As active and outgoing as Eleanor was on behalf of others, she experienced her greatest enjoyment and fulfillment as a wife and mother. The door to the family home was open to everyone, especially her children’s friends, who to this day talk about her graciousness, generosity and Italian feasts. Everyone experienced Eleanor’s affection and Italian warmth with a welcoming smile and embrace, and the persistent question, “Did you eat?” She listened attentively and remembered the smallest detail from conversations. You left her presence with a hug and kiss and a plea to come back.
Eleanor will be greatly missed by her surviving children, Sister Linda M. Bevilacqua, OP, Noreen R. Virgin, Olivia A. Bevilacqua and Joseph A. Bevilacqua and his wife, Bunny; devoted and loving grandchildren Paul Virgin, Joseph M. Bevilacqua, Nicholas Bevilacqua (Carla), Angela M. Lopez, (Sergio), and Cristina R. Vigne (Scott) and delightful great-grandchildren, Joseph Michael and Michael Rafael Bevilacqua, Olivia Marie and Anthony Sergio Lopez, Sophia Nicole and Rocco Michael Bevilacqua, Remy Michael and Enzo Andre Vigne; sister-in-law, Madeline Langan, and brother-in-law, Frank Bevilacqua (Marj), many nieces, nephews and godchildren. She was pre-deceased by Michael, her husband of seventy-five years, her parents, two brothers, and her son, Michael Louis.
There will be no viewing or wake service. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 29, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 11291 SW 142 Avenue, at 10:30 am. Starting at 9:30 am the family will welcome friends at the Church. Following the Mass, Eleanor will be laid to rest with her husband at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Eleanor Bevilacqua to Barry University through the University’s Office of Institutional Advancement.
On line messages may be sent to the family through:
VanOrsdel- Kendall 305-279-6644
www.VanOrsdel.com
MiamiHerald.com/obituaries
What’s your fondest memory of Eleanor?
What’s a lesson you learned from Eleanor?
Share a story where Eleanor's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Eleanor you’ll never forget.
How did Eleanor make you smile?
