Nonagenarian Vita D’Anna passes on at 91

It happens, occasionally. At first the festivities and the rejoicing connected to a momentous occasion like a birthday, and then the sudden demise of the central figure exactly two weeks later which leaves offsprings and their entire families understandingly perplexed and deeply saddened.

Vita D’Anna, born Abate in Palermo, on January 6, 1920, passed away last January 20, 2011, two weeks after she was feted for having reached her 91st birthday, and almost five years to the date, January 21, of the passing of her beloved husband, Michele.

Together they had created and worked for a successful business enterprise, the “D’Anna Garments”, which had encountered the acceptance and the praises of a large number of clients. She lived in Whittier, in the local hospital she also expired, and where she also left an imprint for her integrity and perseverance in business and her prowess in the kitchen.

Vita Abate was married to Michele D’Anna on April 26, 1942, during the last World War. They were not to immigrate to the United States, along with their family, until 1960. The funeral Mass in her honor was celebrated at St. Peter’s Italian Church by its pastor, Rev. Raniero Alessandrini, last Tuesday morning, January 25, 2011, before a large contingent of relatives and friends of the family, including nephew Tony Ciaramitaro, who, before planting a kiss on the casket containing her remains and murmuring “I love you, dear aunt”, had sung “La Preghiera” and Franz Shubert’s “Ave Maria” in her honor.

Family members and friends met later at the Calvary Cemetery, where her mortal spoils were entombed in one of the newest mausoleums of the cemetery which has been and is the last home of so many of our countrymen and women.

The last brief farewell was uttered by one of her daughters, Silvana D’Anna, with a toast to her departed mother at a luncheon offered by the family at Montebello’s “Salvatore Ristorante”.

Vita Abate D’Anna is survived by her six children: Renata Ciaramitaro, Rose Pensavalle, Silvana D’Anna, Bruno D’Anna, Nancy Pensavalle and Maurizio D’Anna. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, and 24 great grandchildren.
To all we extend our sincerest and most fraternal condolences.

L.S.