Yvonne J (Olivero) Cirrin

Tribute to Yvonne

A memoir celebrating a well lived earthly life filled with love, gratitude, happiness and thanks  

Yvonne Joan Cirrin “momma”, “cream puff”, “baby cake”, 88, of Queens, New York passed away August 27th, 2021 in Lavallette, New Jersey.

Yvonne was born to Anna and Vincent Bartolomeo Olivero who were of the Piedmontese descent from Piedmont, the northwest region of Italy which borders Switzerland and France known for its wine and fall truffles. She was a well-mannered, courteous child who was daddy’s girl and the apple of Vincent’s eye!  Anna had a gift shop with fabulous trinkets, collectibles and figurines including imports from Europe which Yvonne took an early interest in acquiring a collection of sets and antiques. Yvonne’s love of hospitality, cordiality, entertaining, fabulous cooking and dining started in New York City with her grandmother “Nonna” who worked with the famed Mama Leone’s Ristorante and her mom Anna who frequented the fabulous Café des Artistes Restaurant, where patrons included Norman Rockwell, Rudolph Valentino and her meeting Babe Ruth who was more than happy to sign her menu. Anna also loved to cook and prepared all meals from scratch with a wonderful presentation and flair. Yvonne particularly fancied Anna’s homemade gnocchi, biscuit tortoni and other delicious family recipes. She developed a passion for cooking with her own signature dishes such as chicken cacciatore and pot roast with gingerbread gravy maintaining three generations of fabulous cooks in one family!  

Romans 12:13 KJB: King James Bible 

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality”.

She was a very kind and caring lady who always thought of others before herself.  Her selfless life and compassionate kindness extended to her children of whom she adopted from the Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn, New York. She cherished and loved them as her own in a safe, well-cared-for, blessed home environment.  She told her children that they “were not expected, they were selected”. Thanks, praise and glory to God Almighty for bestowing this precious gift!   As a devote Christian, Yvonne loved the Lord, attended Bible studies, read the Bible with her children and taught in her home basic doctrine on the topics of God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, sin, salvation and prayer for the Parish of Saint Barnabas the Apostle attendee children.  

Colossians 3:20  KJB: King James Bible

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

She was “Mrs. C.” to many neighborhood and her children’s friends who were always welcome in her home with a warm smile, kind word or funny story, are you hungry? let’s eat! and extended an open invitation to stay for a home cooked meal, the day or overnight! Yvonne also provided a loving, caring home for her father-in-law and mom in their later years continuing to cherish every stage of life in each of her family members. In keeping with her affectionate nature, Yvonne continued to have fun, laughs and made sure everyone still felt useful and worthy in the family support system, even if their roles and responsibilities were altered.

Truly celebrating her life in a genuine, memorable way, Yvonne’s “fondness for traveling” started with the love of her life and best friend, most cherished late earthly husband Frank.  They met by chance while she was on a “beach road trip” with her girlfriends, he with his friends and continued to enjoy many pleasant afternoons on the Long Island and Jersey Shore(s) where “baby cake” won the Miss Atlantic City leg contest on the boardwalk!

Yvonne and Frank honeymooned in Niagara Falls, the "Honeymoon Capital of the World” and remained on their honeymoon for the entire length of their loving, 50+year marriage! They enjoyed countless fun times together listening to the oldies, cruised in their forest green and white top comet caliente convertible and lived in a home on a peninsula where fishing and Jones beach water trips in their boat were just outside the door.  They savored romantic long adventures and “inter-state” road trips (Frank loved to drive across the USA), weekend camping trips with nine other couple’s and all their kids, holiday and frequent visits to her mom and dad’s home in Winter Park, Florida, her time share in New Bern, North Carolina, lake cabin in Malone, New York, holiday and vacation rental at Dr. Kelly’s house in Newport, Rhode Island all of which she generously shared with family and friends.

In addition, Yvonne always enjoyed traveling intergenerational with her earthly husband, daughter and son-in-law including fabulous Tauck tours all over the United States, Europe and East Asia. Some of her destinations were: the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Michigan's Lakes, Mackinac Island, Canadian Rockies, Alaskan train tour, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, Dromoland Castle, Cliffs of Mohar, Italy, Switzerland, Holland River Cruise, Amsterdam, roof top Penthouse in Mazatlán, Mexico, China, climbed the Great Wall, Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin, cruised the Yangtze River, experienced Hong Kong, slept in the Royal Suite on the Splendor of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise, enjoyed a private VIP Chef’s table dinner, bridge “wheel of the helm”, galley and backstage tour, fun girls’ trip to Spain, Mother-daughter trip to England, France, Belgium including Brussels, Bruges and Luxembourg where the locals called her “mum” and told her she was one of the kindest, sweetest ladies they ever had the pleasure to meet from the states!

Like her mom Anna, “cream puff” was very classy and elegant. She enjoyed invite only exclusive Chanel facials, and loved the humble story of Gabrielle “coco” who first began designing and selling hats and continued to be a lifelong hat wearer like “momma”. Chanel #5 was Gabrielle’s very 1st perfume, Anna’s favorite and also became a favorite for “cream puff”. In addition, she enjoyed Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa treatments, ladies’ high tea dress up, and had many, near and dear friends of which she loved to entertain, have “girls’ night”, holiday, dinner, and theme parties. She frequently visited museums, galleries and theater in New York City such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Opera House, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and some of her international favorites: the Louvre in Paris, Ephesus Archaeological Museum, Buckingham Palace, Palace of Versailles, Acropolis of Athens and Colosseum in Rome.  “Cream puff” was an avid Yankee fan who loved watching the "core four" and requested for her 80th birthday to “take her out to the ballgame”! She enjoyed an unforgettable day in the Bronx to visit Yankee Stadium and see the players (in particular crowd-pleaser Derek Jeter) in action!

Yvonne worked as an Office Administrator for Dr. Craig Michaels at the National Center for Disabilities Services in Albertson, New York and handled the Research and Development day-to-day operations and correspondences in conjunction with the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in Washington, D.C..  After retiring, she was also actively involved in volunteering at the Long Island Children's Museum and Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.

Words alone can never truly express a sincere thank you to God Almighty and everyone who has been in Yvonne’s earthly life to give her love, compassion and encouragement, she was truly blessed!  After she had been diagnosed with a later in life illness, Alzheimer’s, it has been encouraging to know that she definitely had a community of care and supports that have embraced her on this journey. Yvonne persevered, thrived and enjoyed a participatory life, by God’s Mercy, as she continued to stay fully engaged in Bible reading, prayer and studies with her daughter. She traveled, listened to music, relished nature walks, maintained her weekly visits to the hair salon (thanks Maria), nail salon for relaxing massage pedicure/manicure (thanks Lyn), Island 16 Cinema de Lux movie night and dinner (thanks Ryan) rendezvous at all her favorite restaurants (thanks Barry, Lucas and Alfonse) and continued to delight in ladies’ high tea dress-up, visits to museums, galleries and the theater.

When writing Yvonne tribute, it’s important to acknowledge and express a sincere appreciation to the people she loved very, very dearly, have been invaluable and truly made a difference in her retirement years of this earthly life. Her son Mark who loved her deeply, engaged and prompted meaningful conversations to relive the past, enjoyed memorable dinners and a pleasant overnight stay.  Her cousin Jo-Anne, who enjoyed many, many wonderful years of happy and fun times with the “girls” family gatherings, weekend visits, frequent phone calls, birthday, holiday cards, unwavering love and concern all of which, time after time, always helped to know she was there as she managed to make “momma’s” day significantly happier and brighter.  Her son-in-law Nicholas, who opened his heart and home these last 10 + years.  Nick has been in “momma’s” life 40 years and she was always very fond of him.  She enjoyed his company, all of his music, including the oldies and rides in the red 57 Chevy Belair, mouthwatering cooking and barbeques, but most importantly, his compassion, love, and kindness during her time residing with him in New York and move to New Jersey. Her dearest departed friend Pat, next-door neighbor and one of her “bestest” friends for 47+ years. They had many great, pleasurable times, traveled on trips around town, nationwide and volunteered together. Pat graciously hosted weekend stays with “momma” at her home arranged by Pat’s daughter Sue, who also was very near and dear to “momma” as she mentioned frequently, she considered Sue to be “like a second daughter” to her.

Her late co mother-in-law Joan, who shared many enjoyable times together including holidays, theme parties, just “the girls” engagements, birthdays, weekend stays in New York, Jersey Shore and a most memorable trip to Williamsburg, Virginia for Joan’s 75th birthday. Joan also coordinated frequent get-togethers for holidays, dinners and tea for her mom Olympia and “momma’s” mom Anna, welcoming all generations of ladies to appreciate, value and savor precious time together.  Joan’s friendship was always considered a blessing to “momma” and Joan’s gracious hospitality had been extended from their very first meeting and continued to “momma’s” move to her Jersey Shore home in May 2020. Additionally, a very special sincere appreciation and genuine gratitude to Joan’s sons Steve and Jim for their steadfast support in accomplishing this.   A heartfelt special thank you to cousin Jo-Anne, Sandy, Richie and John and Lee (one of “momma’s” favorites! from the first time she met him, she always said there was something special about John!) who came to visit with “momma” in New York and cousin Jo-Anne and Basilio for coming to visit “momma” at the Shore. Please know your visits were precious and priceless, truly appreciated, and your kindness will forever be treasured and remembered.

In addition, thanks to all who called, inquired and checked in: Steve and Meg, Jim and Suzanne, John and Lee, Spiggy and Rosanne, Walter and Beverley, Ezekiel and Denise, Sue M., Carol, Richie, Sam, Sue D., International Mission and Bible friends, Gregory, David, Nancy, Sara, Charlene, Ruth, Barbara, Kathleen, Amanda, Daniel and Valerie.  The Crest Pointe Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Nurses Angel and Ryan, Aides Neil and Donna, Administrative staff Leigh, Marie, Jessica, Holisticare Hospice Gina, Gloria, Jennifer, Mary, Pam, Belinda, Kathy, Vellus and Christine who provided heartfelt nurturing, caring, optimal support, for continued health and well-being for “cream puff”.

Matthew 25:34-36 KJB: King James Bible

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was a hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

While she resided in this temporal world, Yvonne lived and enjoyed an animated, joyful, grateful, generous, engaging, delightful, lovely life and understood the world to come as eternal and what truly matters ………   
2 Corinthians 4:18  KJB: King James Bible
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Even in the end stages of her earthly life, Yvonne never liked being the center of attention and in her true giving, self-effacing form, Yvonne requested her final wishes of omitting a service or memorial and desired to donate her body to science of which she applied to and was accepted into the program. She expressed the gift of donation as being a way to help with Alzheimer’s research touching many lives and the lives of future generations.  Yvonne is survived by her son Mark, daughter Pamela and her earthly husband Nicholas, cousin Jo-Anne, nephew Eric his wife Allison and their children Ryan and Taylor.

Many people in Yvonne’s life have expressed their thoughts and feelings about having the pleasure to have met and known her, her being a super role model, having qualities that are beyond reproach and have made a profound impact in their life, changed their life, made their life more enriched and helped them in becoming the person they are today. It was noted she was always of service to others in the smallest and grandest way through her thoughts, words, actions and giving of her time. May God receive all the praise, honor and glory for bestowing these gifts to Yvonne.  She will certainly continue to be memorialized, fondly remembered and celebrated living on in the hearts of all those who were so generous to share their most cherished gifts of love, time and care with her. 

James 1:17   KJB: King James Bible

Every good gift and every perfect gift are from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

May God richly bless Erin, Alice, Sophi and all the staff at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals for posting and sharing a glimpse of this celebration of a well lived earthly life tribute and all who have taken the time to read Yvonne “momma”, “cream puff” “baby cakes” memoir. Yvonne’s final “beach road trip” from the Jersey Shore to the Long Island shore will be to the Calverton National Cemetery where she will be gently laid to rest beside her “traveling sweetheart”, forever on their honeymoon, most adored partner and revered earthly husband, beloved Frank.

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