Anna (Thomasina) Naldini, 91, a lifelong resident of West Harrison, died peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, March 2, 2004. Anna was born in 1912 to Antonio and Domenica Strada of West Harrison. She was married to Amerigo (Miggs) Naldini for 69 years. Her brothers Guido and Henry, and her sisters Mary and Clara predeceased her. She worked as a secretary for IBM and was also a Notary Public. She is survived by her husband; her son Raymond and his wife Janis; three grandchildren Raymond and his wife Maria, Dorianne and her husband Jeff, and Melissa; four great-grandchildren Samantha, Christopher, Allison and Sarah; and several nieces and nephews. "Everyone who knew Nana could feel her sweetness and love. The most important thing in her life was her family. She kept tabs on everything from writing letters, sending cards, calling people and entertaining guests, friends and family alike. Nana was a spectacular host throughout her life. She loved to cook for people and bring people together to have a good time and to bond. That's what made her smile. She passionately loved life and consistently cared about everyone." "Every Saturday night, she had her whole family over for dinner. For all holidays and special occasions, Nana cooked the family's traditional recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother. She made sure to teach her grandchildren the recipes! Nana was also an avid reader. She always read several books a week and kept up on all the latest. Family and friends always relied on her to answer grammatical and spelling queries. She was a wealth of knowledge." "When it came to values, Nana was a saint. She did everything right and then some. Most importantly, she instilled these values upon her whole family." "Nana also handmade a baptismal gown when she was expecting her son. It's beautiful and everyone in the immediate family and extended family has been baptized in it. Our family will continue to use the gown she made to baptize all new life in our family for generations to come. She was fortunate to see all four of her great-grandchildren baptized in the gown she made. It is special to all of us and a reminder of the importance of family and love that is everlasting." "Nana was hard working, focused, stubborn, articulate, determined, patient, immensely caring and meticulous in all ways. We are thankful she is no longer suffering and we realize as a family that her love is still alive and vibrant in us all. As her husband says, 'She was a perfect woman.'" Calling hours are Thursday evening, March 4, 2004 from 6-9 PM at McMahon, Lyon & Hartnett Funeral Home. A Mass will be held at St. Anthony's Church in West Harrison on Friday, March 5, 2004 at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Published in The Journal News on Mar. 4, 2004.