Obituary of Barbara Tomaselli

After a courageous battle with cancer, Barbara Tomaselli, née Cerulo, died on March 28, 2015 in Port Washington, NY. She leaves behind her husband, Orest Tomaselli, and her daughter, Isabella. Barbara was born on June 5th, 1962 in St. Louis, MO, to Eugene and Barbara Cerulo. She grew up in a loving family with two brothers, and embarked on a career as a hair stylist and makeup artist. Fate intervened when Barbara met Orest Tomaselli, a native New Yorker, on a chance trip to New Orleans, LA, for Mardi Gras in 1999. After a year-long, long-distance romance, and the toss of a coin, Barbara sold her home, left her job, her family and friends, and moved to Manhattan to begin a life with Orest. Marriage and then daughter Isabella followed soon after, and the family of three moved to Port Washington in 2003. Barbara was an active member of the Port community, and served as a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter's troop. She was a food connoisseur and an incredible cook who was often asked for recipes. A trusted friend and confidant, she was also sought after for advice on relationships, marriage, family, and, of course, style. Isabella was the joy of Barbara's life. She spent hours staring at her as she slept when she was a baby. She marveled at the fact that she was a mother and that she was able to create such a perfect being. Barbara devoted her life to her daughter and often happily remarked that her profession was, "Personal Assistant to Isabella Tomaselli." Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, and underwent a variety of treatments for years as the disease metastasized. Throughout, she remained positive, present, unbreakable and remarkable. She is survived by her husband and daughter, as well as her brothers, Greg and Michael Cerulo, their wives, Barb Cerulo and Beth Cerulo, her brother-in-law, Salvatore Tomaselli and his wife Liz Tomaselli, nieces, nephews, close family friends, and life-long friends. The wake will be held at Fairchild Sons Funeral Chapel in Manhasset on Tuesday, March 31st from 7pm-9pm, and Wednesday, April 1st,from 3pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Peter of Alcantara Church in Port Washington, on Thursday, April 2nd, at 9:30 AM. The family would especially like to thank the staff of Sloan Kettering for their constant, attentive treatment over the years, Michelle Campbell, for her loving care in Barbara’s final days, the DiPreta family, the Keiserman family, the Whitmore family, the Ficalora family, the McVeigh family, the Nelson family, the Latner family and Erica Cerulo, Thomas Hauner and for their ongoing support, love and care.