95, of Mountain View, Hawaii, passed away July 26, 2022, at Hawaii Care Choices, Pohai Malama Care Center in Hilo following a brief illness. Born July 16, 1927, in Pa'ia, Maui to Joseph and Mary (Souza) Paresa. Harriet spent her childhood on Lana'i and summers with her Maui family. With the onset of World War II, her parents moved to Oahu and Harriet lived with her grandparents in Hamakuapoko, Maui, while attending St. Anthony's School, Wailuku (Class of 1945). At 15, Harriet met the love of her life Vito William "Bill" Veneri of Jersey City, NJ who was stationed in H'Poko. They married on March 2, 1946 at St. Patrick's Church and lived with her parents in Kaimuki, welcoming their first child Patty in May 1947. In November 1947, they moved to NJ where they spent the next 13 years with Bill's family, welcoming son John in 1951 and daughter Glorianne in 1955. With her dad's passing in 1960, the family returned to Oahu to be near Grandma Paresa and welcomed daughter Lisa in 1963. They lived on Oahu until 2008 then moved to Hawai'i Island with son John and daughter-in-law Marianne in Mountain View. Harriet remained in Mountain View after Bill passed in 2011 and spent time in Volcano with daughter Glorianne and son-in-law Joe. Harriet was a warm, caring person who welcomed everyone into her home & heart. She was "sis," "mom," "aunty," "grandma," "tutu, "Cousin Harriet" and "Mrs. V." She was a member of Star of the Sea Church and choir for many years and maintained the friendships made there even after her move to the Big Island. She was a Scrabble whiz and could often be found on her Kindle playing Words with Friends and keeping up with family and friends on Facebook. After Bill passed, she crocheted more than 100 afghans for lucky family and friends.
The family extends its deepest thanks to the staff at Pohai Malama who lovingly cared for mom during her final days. Harriet was predeceased by her husband of 65 years V. Wm. Veneri; parents Joseph and Mary Paresa; brothers: Harold, Joseph and David Paresa. She is survived by children: Patricia (Bruce) Shimomoto of Aiea, John (Marianne) Veneri of Mountain View, Glorianne (Joe) Garza of Volcano, Lisa Veneri of Kapolei; 9 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; sister Mary Ann Maiorino of Las Vegas, NV, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Remembrance service and mass will be held on January 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Oahu. Masks required.
