Jillian B. Velardi, 19, of Rome, passed away January 25, 2013 as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

She was born on September 11, 1993 in Oneida to Gene M. Velardi and Barbara C. Richardson Velardi, and graduated from Oriskany Central School in 2012. While at Oriskany Central Scchool, she was a Cheer Leader and a member of the Cross Country Team and the Art Club. She also was inducted into the National Junior and Senior Honor Societies and volunteered as a Teacher’s Aide at the Eastern Star Daycare Center.

Jill was a vibrant, compassionate and caring young woman who had a love of art and photography that was expressed through her many sketches, paintings, photos and her creative fashion sense. She loved her family and friends and was someone her peers looked up to, and her family was proud of. Jill had a sense of adventure with her love of snowboarding and years of dancing at the CVS and Center Stage dance studios. Her zest for life was always spread across her face with a beautiful smile. Knowing Jill was to know happiness. She loved to travel, including her many trips to, and residing in Las Vegas. She lived life with a purpose and a peaceful sense of always helping others feel special, and with a passion of living life to its fullest. She affectionately always signed her notes and letters to her Dad, “Love Jillian---your only daughter”.

Jillian was always very busy and active. She acquired her first job at age 16, at Barnes and Noble in New Hartford, working alongside her father, who was very proud of her. She was currently serving as a customer representative at APAC in Utica; and would soon receive her degree in Cosmetology at BOCES, where she was a member of the BOCES Honor Society. Jillian was looking forward to pursuing a college degree and career in math and engineering, starting in the Fall.

Jillian is survived by her loving mother and father, Barbara Richardson Velardi and Gene M. Velardi; paternal grandmother, Ellen Velardi of Oriskany; her boyfriend Matthew Manderson and his children Grace and Lucas; brothers, Bernie Colangelo of Las Vegas, NV, Nicholas Colangelo of Rome, Gino Velardi and Chrispin Velardi of Oriskany; aunts and uncles, Randy and Lori Richardson, Tim and Heather Richardson, LaDonna Richardson, Michelle Velardi and family, Steven Velardi, who was her godfather, and family, Debbie Velardi and family, and David Velardi; her godmother, Carolyn Francis; several cousins; and special friends, Steve Miles, Tammy, Dominick, Audi and Geo Silvestri, Virginia and Jennifer Leigh, Scott and Maria Tanner and family, Taylor Clynne, Jenna Narolis, Mandy Drake, Victoria Vrendenburg and many others. She was predeceased by grandparents, Doris and Bernard Richardson and Chrispino Velardi.

Many thanks to her co-workers at APAC who embraced her as a new employee in such a way that she would leave every day saying “Mom, I love my job and have the greatest people to work with.” Also, the family would like to thank the many customers at Barnes and Noble (and you know who you are) who had frequent conversations, if you only knew how often your conversations came home with Jill and put a smile on our faces. It was heartwarming as a family to know that as our daughter went off to work, your words would inspire and touch her.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:45 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. Peter’s Church.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Wednesday 4 to 8 PM. Family and friends will have an opportunity to offer a tribute to Jillian starting at 7:30 PM, followed by a balloon release at 8:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the family.

Please offer online tributes or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.

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