Vanessa Oliverio's Obituary
Vanessa Oliverio led a life devoted to family. After retiring as an Administrative Assistant for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, she worked as a Real Estate Agent and Property Manager. Primarily, though, she cared for her family. When her father, Pat Oliverio, suffered a stroke in 2006, she moved in with her mother and dedicated the next seven years of her life to keeping him comfortable and cared for at her parents’ home in Fort Myers, Florida. Following her father’s death, she provided the same diligent care to her mother, Rose Oliverio, for nearly nine years.
Vanessa was also deeply devoted to her pets. When she learned she was allergic to cats, she endured weekly shots for years to ensure she could keep her cat. When a stray cat showed up, she convinced her mother to adopt him. She took her dogs across the state as needed for MRIs and specialists, ensuring any animal in her care received the best possible chance at a good life.
Vanessa had fond memories of growing up in Dearborn, Michigan, surrounded by family. She adored her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Edsel Ford High School where she made lifelong friendships. Outside of facing down elementary school bullies, she had a fairly idyllic childhood - walking to school, the store, and public recreation, spending summers with her friends on the lake. They were always getting up to something.
She was a devoted Aunt and Great Aunt to her sister, Drina Boluyt’s, children (Shanelle and Ryan Boluyt) and grandchild (Phoenix Vorenkamp-Boluyt). She loved playing pranks on family members and would always enlist the children to help (“everyone trusts you”). At work, she was known as a jokester who somehow managed to do the work of two people.
She managed a number of rental properties and insisted on doing nearly everything herself (“I want it done right.”) She impressed everyone with her knowledge of carpentry, painting, landscaping, and so much more.
She loved swimming, canoeing, boating, and the great outdoors. She was lucky to find a match in her boyfriend of eight years, Frank Marino. Together, they fixed up properties, sailed the Gulf, and dreamed of travel.
Vanessa Oliverio passed away on May 9th, 2022, one day after her 71st birthday, and two weeks after the passing of her beloved dog, Sushi. She is survived by her boyfriend, Frank Marino, her younger sister, Drina Boluyt, her niece and nephew, Shanelle and Ryan Boluyt, and her great nephew, Phoenix Vorenkamp-Boluyt.
She will be missed.
From Ryan: Aunt Vanessa cared deeply for her family. She went to great lengths to help her parents when they were sick and did what was in her power to ensure their safety and comfort. She loved her family, boyfriend, dogs, and friends and will be missed dearly by all of us. Being in a boat on the water or on the beach was a great joy for her. She loved to tell us funny stories from the past about herself, her family and friends. Though she had to leave us suddenly and before her time, she will live on in our hearts and memories.
A visitation will be held 12:00 - 2:00 PM, Friday, MAy 20, 2022 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL. A Funeral Service will be celebrated 2:00 PM, Friday, May 20, 2022 at the funeral home. Entombment will follow the service in the Serenity Garden of Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
For those who were unable to attend Vanessa’s service please see the recording by clicking the link below:
Quotes:
“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” -John 16:22
“I’m unsure which pain is worse – the shock of what happened or the ache for what never will.” -Simon Van Booy
What’s your fondest memory of Vanessa?
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Describe a day with Vanessa you’ll never forget.
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