Patricia Florence Canuso

Patricia "Pat" Florence Canuso June 14, 1940 – March 31, 2024 Easter Morning marked the passing of Patricia "Pat" Florence Canuso, a remarkable woman who's love, kindness, charisma and compassion will shine as a beacon forever through the lives of her family and friends. From very humble beginnings, Pat became the loving matriarch of a large, beautiful family; she gracefully and passionately raised six children, helped start and grow her husband's business, was entrepreneurial in spirit making many business investments over her lifetime, always prioritized time to volunteer and serve the community, and through her deep insight into the world, helped provide caring guidance and advice for so many. Pat's capacity to love was never finite. She embraced everyone she met with open arms and an open heart, and in turn, became "mom" to so many. Despite many health issues and having the confines of a wheelchair for nearly thirty years, Pat spread much joy in the world and chose every day to live life to its fullest. And while Pat had the good fortune to enjoy many successes in life, to travel abroad, to meet popes and presidents, she was – more importantly – steadfastly humble, honest, empathic and just. She was open-minded and progressive and cared deeply for the world, particularly for those less fortunate. Pat was faithful and patriotic. She was an avid boater, an excellent cook, an insatiable reader, an active volunteer, and had many hobbies including quilting, jewelry making, poetry and gardening; but above all, she was devoted to her family, and little could ever compare to her unrelenting, unwavering and unending love for her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her love and light will shine always. Patricia was the only daughter of Florence Shinn and Carl Greenwald of Camden, N.J., and was the stepdaughter of Robert Kellman, Sr. of Pennsauken, N.J. Pa has a stepbrother, Robert Kellman, Jr., who lives in Clearlake, Calif. In February of 1958, Pat married Vito A. Canuso, Jr. in Medford Lakes, N.J., where she spent her teenage years after moving there from Pennsauken. Vito is the second son of Vito A. Canuso, Sr. and Helen Acchione Canuso of Philadelphia. Together, Vito and Pat are the proud parents of six children and spouses: Vito A. Canuso III (and Renee Rogers Canuso) of Orange County, Calif.; Patricia Canuso Contartesi Butler (and Michael Butler) of Wellington, Fla.; Robert C. Canuso (and Casey Chandler Canuso) of San Diego, Calif.; Deborah Canuso Chase Utz (and Johnny Utz) of Vacaville, Calif.; Gabriel A. Canuso (and Melinda Ward Sherrill Canuso) of Philadelphia, Pa. and Destin, Fla.; and Dominic C. Canuso (and fiancée Amy Clippinger) of Aston, Pa. Pat and Vito lived initially in Philadelphia and then moved to Cherry Hill, N.J. in 1964, where they spent forty years raising their children before moving back to Pennsylvania in 2005. In 2017, they settled permanently in West Palm Beach, Fla. Pat and Vito have eighteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, all living in various cities across the United States. A public viewing will be held at Palms West Funeral Home (10 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach) this Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles (100 Crestwood Blvd S, Royal Palm Beach) this Saturday morning at 9:30 AM, followed by a graveside committal service at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery (10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach) at 11:00 AM. The family also invites friends and family to join together afterwards in celebrating Pat's life at a luncheon in her honor at Lenora's restaurant (207 Clematis St, West Palm Beach) at 1:00 PM. (Please note that since we are celebrating Pat, the family is encouraging guests on both Friday and Saturday to wear bright and more colorful attire – i.e. khakis, polos, colorful dresses – instead of formal and dark/black attire). Flowers can be ordered through Flowers and More: https://www.flowersandmoreinc.com/ Or in lieu of flowers, donations to either of Pat's favorite charities below would certainly be welcome: Children's Crisis Treatment Center: https://www.cctckids.org/ The Friendly Center: https://friendlycenter.org/ The AJ Foundation: https://ajfoundation.org/ The Canuso Foundation