Annette M. Reese

How do you even begin to describe a person who was so many things to so many people? Family would best describe Annette.  Her name and picture should be under the word in the dictionary.  Her love was full and real and she made a heartfelt impression on everyone that met her.  She truly cared for people, always saw the best in people and was a caretaker and nurturer at heart.  Annett e was truly the type of person that would give you the shirt off her back.   She was selfless always putting others needs before her own.  She always made everyone feel at home, loved and special and always made sure everyone left her house full.

Annette was born and raised in Brooklyn and had 1 sister Mary and 2 brothers Joseph and Lenny. Her parents Virgilio and Helen were very caring and loving and instilled the importance of family and values in her.  Her childhood was filled with happy memories of times spent with family.  Unfortunately her father passed away suddenly when she was 22 yrs. old.  This was right before she was supposed to get married.  Annette was devastated and wanted to cancel the wedding  to stay   home with her mom and siblings.  Helping  them was her priority.  However her family convinced her to go forward with the wedding.

She married John and bought a house in Brooklyn. Soon after, she had her only child Denise.  She had a very difficult birth and both her and her daughter almost died.  Because of this she wasn’t able to have any more children.  This broke her heart because she loved kids and wanted a big family.  When Denise was 4 years old Annette and John moved to Long Island where she lived out the rest of her life.  Her house was always a happy place that everyone loved to visit and it was always open to everyone.  Her mom and siblings came over for dinner every Sunday.  Not only did she host many holidays, there was always pool parties, bbq’s and impromptu gatherings.  No matter what time it was and how many people showed up Annette had a meal fit for a king that could feed an army on the table in no time. Christmas Eve was always her favorite where she did the big fish dinner and hosted upwards of 30 people.  Her daughter remembers being 30 yrs. old and sitting at the kiddie table with all her cousins ranging from 5yrs old to 35yrs old.  This is when she was most happy, she entertained any chance she got.

When Annette was in her 40’s her mother who she was very close to passed away. Annette didn’t hesitate to take over the role of Care giver for her special needs brother Joseph.  She quickly moved him in to her house and took care of him up until 5 months ago when he passed away.  That was the type of person she was always helping and caring for those in need.  In 1999 her husband John was diagnosed with cancer and she lost him 1 month later leaving her with just Denise and Joseph.

Annette worked all her life and was an entrepreneur at heart. After the passing of her husband she combined her love of cooking and feeding people and opened up Delicious Delites, an ice cream and candy café.  She spent most of her time there and her customers came not only for the food but for her company.  To this day her niece and nephew Annie and Leo recall fond memories of the time they spent there with her.

8 yrs. ago Annette was no longer able to work due to an auto immune disease that slowly took a toll on her body, leaving her bedridden her last 4 years. At this point her daughter who learned the importance of family and values thru Annette, took on the role of  care giver.  She stilled insisted on hosting the holidays, teaching her skills and traditions to others to carry on.  It was amazing what she was able to accomplish from her bed.  Thru out her illness, Annette never complained.  She was grateful for everyday and everybody in her life.  Somehow she maintained a positive attitude and was an inspiration to all.  She was truly a strong remarkable woman who never gave up and she will be truly missed.  Anyone that knows her all say the same thing, that she was so loving, caring and selfless that she should be a saint.