Venera Castellano Campanelli, 43, of Apollo Beach FL, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2019 surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Born in Montreal, Quebec on Friday, April 16, 1976 to Franco Campanelli and Rossana DiRubbo, Venera grew up in Canada and graduated from Laurier Macdonald High School in 1993. She attended Vanier College and graduated with a Veterinary Technician Degree in 1997. Her empathetic heart would not allow her to work in this field, as she kept bringing home abandoned cats and dogs so they would not be euthanized!

Venera met Nelson Castellano in 2004 and the two were married on November 15, 2008. The couple moved to her dream home in Florida, planted roots and grew a very successful business together.

Throughout her seven-year courageous battle with cancer, she remained so grateful to live in sunny Apollo Beach, FL with beloved friends and family who supported her. Venera became a proud citizen of the United States on June 28, 2018.

She is preceded in death by her father Franco Campanelli, and survived by husband Nelson, daughter, Lola (11) and son Kevin (21), Mother Rossana DiRubbo, Brothers Lino and Tony Campanelli, in-laws Jose Castellano and Irene Avila, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Venera will always be remembered as a supportive wife, a loving mother to Lola and Kevin, and an outstanding chef (her mixed salad, pasta, meatballs and deep-fried Oreos were loved by all!) She was a kind and compassionate friend and a tenacious fighter with an incredibly positive spirit and attitude. Though her suffering on earth is finished, she leaves behind a legacy of love that continues to bring friends and family together, even after her passing. Venera was a faithful Christian, who loved the Lord that carried her through the toughest of times. Her wish for those she leaves behind is to live a fulfilled life, complete with true happiness and pure joy in the Lord.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Venera on Saturday, June 15th from 4:30 – 9:30pm at Rancho K'Lola, 6003 16th Ave S., Tampa FL 33619.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to Shriners Hospital for Children, www.lovetotherescue.org . or Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Donor Relations, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.