LELAND — Jennie Rose DeSimone (née Tufano), 91, of Leland, North Carolina, formerly of East Setauket, New York, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2024. She was born to Michael and Isabella on May 13, 1933, in Ozone Park, New York. Jennie was a proud graduate of John Adams High School where she made lifelong friends. She was a devoted wife to the late Frank DeSimone, a respected attorney in Port Jefferson, New York, and a loving mother to her children Frank, Marilyn and Bob.
Before embracing her treasured role as a wife and mother, Jennie had a prominent secretarial career on Wall Street. Her professionalism and dedication were a source of immense pride during those years. Jennie’s love story began alongside Frank DeSimone, with whom she built a legacy of love, tradition, and family values.
Her culinary prowess was legendary among loved ones; she cultivated joy and togetherness around her kitchen table, hosting numerous family occasions and weaving memories with the scents and flavors of her cherished Italian dishes. So many of the memories shared by the extended family since her passing recall the fabulous family gatherings she hosted with Frank.
Jennie’s kitchen was the heart of her family, and she was renowned for her authentic Italian cooking, a skill she honed without the use of recipes, instead relying on the traditions passed on by generations. The entrance to her home was the kitchen door, where family and friends were always greeted with warmth and encouraged to enjoy whatever delicious leftovers were to be found in the fridge. Her grandchildren fondly recall that Nanny’s meatballs were the best ever made.
Faith played a role in Jennie’s life. She was a parishioner of St. James Roman Catholic Church in East Setauket, New York. Her faith provided strength and comfort through the years.
Jennie leaves behind a legacy of love and nurturing, survived by her children, Frank (Anne), Marilyn (Tony), and Bob (Regia); her sister, Anita; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; siblings, Lena and Lou; and her parents.
Jennie was lucky enough to have found love again after Frank passed away. Tony Cucco, was her partner for over 15 years in Lake Grove, New York. They both appreciated how blessed they were to have found one another.
Jennie was an exceptionally beautiful woman both inside and out. She epitomized grace and refinement, influencing fashion sensibilities with her timeless advice, “Put on a little lipstick, you’ll be fine”—a testament to her belief in the power of resilience and poise.
Family, friends and those whose lives Jennie touched are invited to a memorial service to be scheduled on Long Island, New York. Her departure leaves a void in the tapestry of her family’s life, but her spirit and lessons of love endure.
Memorial Services will be announced in the future.
Please leave condolence messages for Jennie’s family here.
