Verna L. Henschel (Fucarino), 96, went to her rest on Monday, May 23, 2011, after a short illness, at the Lake West Hospital in Willoughby, Ohio.
Verna was born in Niagara Falls, NY, on September 21, 1914, the firstborn child of Vincenzo and Rose (Costanza) Fucarino of VillaFrati, Sicily. She was married to the late Paul Henschel of Ransomville on February 3, 1951, for 42 years. She lived on Memorial Parkway until 1951 when her and husband Paul moved to Robinson Court and shortly thereafter in 1952 to Niagara Avenue where she resided for 57 years until 2009. Verna lived in Niagara Falls for 95 years.

Verna is preceded in death by her parents Vincenzo Fucarino & Rose (Costanza), loving husband Paul, her brother and sisters, David Fucarino, Anne DiMarco (Fucarino), and Dorothy Coscia (Fucarino). She is survived by her sons, James of Houston, Texas, and Paul (Phyllis) of Mentor, Ohio, 5 grandchildren, Erich, Matthew, Stephanie, Brandon (Lucema) & Lindsay, 1 great grandson, Cameron, her brother Geno (Julie) Fucarino of Niagara Falls, and sister Mary Campanaro (Fucarino) of Las Vegas, NV. She is survived by her brothers- and sisters-in-laws Joseph (Cecil) Figura, Florence (Francis) Gergal, Richard Figura, Harry Figura, of Ransomville, NY, Helen Cox of New Hampshire, and Wanda (Robert) Quigley of Miami Fl., many nieces and nephews, loving friends, and her best friend Bernice DiNunzio.

Verna attended 10th Street School, South Junior, and graduated from Niagara Falls High in 1932. She worked at the Palace Laundry, Nabisco Shredded Wheat, Kimberly Clark, Bell Aircraft during WWII, and was a crossing guard on Porter Road for Hyde Park School. Verna was a member of Our Lady of Lebanon, Sacred Heart, and Mount Carmel Catholic Churches. She was also a member of the Cristoforo Colombo Society, and The Holy Rosary & Alter Society of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. Verna loved to play cards with her family and many friends and loved to go to the casino and enjoyed shopping for bargains. Verna was known for her warm heart and bright smile that lasted through her last days.

Visitation will be held Thursday May 26th from 2pm -5pm & 7pm- 9pm at M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin Friday, May 27, 2011, at 9:15am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph's Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. Entombment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Please visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online register.