Margaret S. Vento's Obituary
“Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind.
And the third is to be kind.”
Henry James
Margaret S. Vento of Coral Gables, Florida, and previously a longtime resident of Plantation,
Florida, passed away on May 12, 2023, at the age of 94, after living a lifetime of kindness. She
instilled that quality by example in her seven children.
Margaret was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother extraordinaire, and is
survived by her children: Terry Vento (Peter MacNamara), Richard Vento (Brenda), Dr. Susan
Benenati (James), Anthony J. Vento, Jr. (Gayle Kanary), and Arthur Vento (Angela); 10
grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her children Louise and
Robert in their teenage years, her sister Mary Louise Bradley, her former husband Anthony J.
Vento, M.D., and her longtime dear friend Mickey Florio.
She studied pharmacy at Fordham University, where she was one of 3 women enrolled, and
won the Bausch & Lomb Award. There she met her husband, Anthony, to whom she was
married for more than 30 years. While her husband went to medical school at the University of
Miami in his 30’s, she raised the children which numbered seven at his graduation. She was an
intelligent, energetic, and spiritual person, who lived by the mottos “Anything worth doing is
worth doing well” and “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything.”
Margaret had a good sense of humor, which all her children inherited. Always active in their
lives, she was a Brownie troop leader, a Cub Scout den mother, a classroom mother, and co-
founder of the Friends of the Plantation Library. She made costumes for her children’s recitals,
went to their ball games, endured each of her children learning the piano or other musical
instrument, was an amazing cook, read voraciously, attended Mass religiously and voluntarily
laundered the church vestments for decades.
She enjoyed travel, cultural performances,museums, and sports. All were welcomed at her table for a meal, a month, or much more. Volunteering was also a constant in her life, as just one expression of her deep and tested faith. But most of all, she loved her family, and spent time with each of her children’s families in various cities, whenever her help was needed.
Margaret was everyone’s grandmother in her later decades. Her friendships spanned all age
groups. She was admired for being her authentic, kind, wise, accomplished, and helpful self. In
a word, Margaret was amazing. She wasn’t perfect, but she was pretty darn close!
A Celebration of Life will be held at Van Orsdel Funeral Chapel, 11220 North Kendall Drive,
Miami, on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Epiphany
Catholic Church, 8235 SW 57 Avenue, Miami, on Friday, June 23 at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Dr. William J. Meyer, S.M., a longtime friend of the family. Burial will be private.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a gift in her memory be made to:
Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/27991/donations/new?a=5475605,
Camillus House https://camillushouseinc-bloom.kindful.com ,
Catholic Relief Services https://support.crs.org/donate/give-where-needed?ms=agicrs022310500but00&_ga=2.107939074.1228990121.1685730914-597329130.1685730914&_gac=1.183191380.1685731617.CjwKCAjwpuajBhBpEiwA_ZtfhTuSafiiVUdCZtSOMoYuZjfIwXXsoh8EX,
or the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF)
https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=34-1853821
Please visit https://youtube.com/live/KLOgIkCcfRw for the livestream of the Memorial Mass at Epiphany Catholic Church on or after Friday, June 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM.
What’s your fondest memory of Margaret?
What’s a lesson you learned from Margaret?
Share a story where Margaret's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Margaret you’ll never forget.
How did Margaret make you smile?
