She was born in Calabria, Italy and she and her mother migrated to the United States reuniting with her father Jerome who had come to the U.S. seeking a better life for his family. They lived in Urbana, Ohio approximately ten years before relocating to Detroit, Michigan.
Anita was the eldest of 12 children, George, Ernest and Frances Scalzi, Lucille Petrocella, Lena and Theresa Malkowski, Margaret Peterson, Catherine Glavas-Jacobs, Ruth Ross, John Scalzi and was preceded in death by Anthony who died in infancy, and was preceded in death by her parents.
She was the devoted wife of Frank D. Clara who preceded her in death, loving mother of Frank J., Carolina Petrykowski, James J., MaryAnn Perry, Anita Lambert, John R., Rosemary Kassab and was preceded in death by two sons, Robert G. and Fortunato J.
She leaves many grand and great grand children.
My mother was a wonderful cook and baker and could make any dish imaginable from scratch and most without a recipe. She had a knack for knowing how to stretch a meal to not only feed the family but be able to accommodate any unannounced drop-ins at meal time, [which there almost always was!], yet, there seldom were any 'leftovers'.
If she wasn't in the kitchen you could find her tending to her beautiful flower gardens and rose trellises. To say she had a green thumb was an understatement. It was quite common to have total strangers knock on our door requesting permission to take pictures...wedding, graduation or just family group shots...under her rose arbors!
Although my mother never learned to drive or held a job outside of the house [a fulltime mother and grandmother was a never ending job], she became an "Avon Lady" in her late 60's. She really enjoyed walking throughout her community leaving brochures, samples and 'taking' and 'delivering' orders. We often commented that Avon should have mentioned her in their newsletters, as not only was she an 'Avon Lady' but, she lived on Avon Road in Avon Township!
Mom also loved, lived for and served Our Lord, living a Christian life, spreading the word of Our Lord to all who would listen, attended services regularly and participated in home Bible studies in addition to hosting the same in her home. I have no doubt that Our Lord came for her one night as she peacefully slept...as she was in good health and we had no expectation of her leaving without a goodbye.
The American Imigrant Wall of Honor, Eliis Island, New York:
Honoree Name as Inscribed Country of Origin
129. Marianna Anita Scalzi Clara Italy Panel 82
~ To a wonderful Mother: ~
"No matter how the world may change, With new things every day, The gentle art of motherhood, Will never go away, Thank Goodness for the tender love, And guidance in the plan, That mothers have been part of, Ever since the world began, Thank Goodness for the kindness, And the thoughtfulness they show, Their patience and encouragement, To help their children grow, Thank Goodness for the selflessness, Of mothers everywhere, Because the future of the world, Rests safely in their care."
^O^ ^O^ ^O^ ^O^
*I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Mr. David Kessler for taking the time to visit and photograph the final resting place of my parents and brother Fortunato.
May your kindness be returned to you a hundred fold Sir.
Thank you for the beautiful 'Easter gift'!
** Special thanks to Edward Leffew for paying tribute to and honoring the memory of my mother, Anita M. Clara by sponsoring her memorial. Mere words can not fully express the feelings I have for your kindness. I wish for you my friend the kindness you have shown to others be returned to you a hundredfold. Thank you so much Sir.
Please take a moment to visit my beloved daughter Kimberly and wonderful father
Frank
She was born in Calabria, Italy and she and her mother migrated to the United States reuniting with her father Jerome who had come to the U.S. seeking a better life for his family. They lived in Urbana, Ohio approximately ten years before relocating to Detroit, Michigan.
Anita was the eldest of 12 children, George, Ernest and Frances Scalzi, Lucille Petrocella, Lena and Theresa Malkowski, Margaret Peterson, Catherine Glavas-Jacobs, Ruth Ross, John Scalzi and was preceded in death by Anthony who died in infancy, and was preceded in death by her parents.
She was the devoted wife of Frank D. Clara who preceded her in death, loving mother of Frank J., Carolina Petrykowski, James J., MaryAnn Perry, Anita Lambert, John R., Rosemary Kassab and was preceded in death by two sons, Robert G. and Fortunato J.
She leaves many grand and great grand children.
My mother was a wonderful cook and baker and could make any dish imaginable from scratch and most without a recipe. She had a knack for knowing how to stretch a meal to not only feed the family but be able to accommodate any unannounced drop-ins at meal time, [which there almost always was!], yet, there seldom were any 'leftovers'.
If she wasn't in the kitchen you could find her tending to her beautiful flower gardens and rose trellises. To say she had a green thumb was an understatement. It was quite common to have total strangers knock on our door requesting permission to take pictures...wedding, graduation or just family group shots...under her rose arbors!
Although my mother never learned to drive or held a job outside of the house [a fulltime mother and grandmother was a never ending job], she became an "Avon Lady" in her late 60's. She really enjoyed walking throughout her community leaving brochures, samples and 'taking' and 'delivering' orders. We often commented that Avon should have mentioned her in their newsletters, as not only was she an 'Avon Lady' but, she lived on Avon Road in Avon Township!
Mom also loved, lived for and served Our Lord, living a Christian life, spreading the word of Our Lord to all who would listen, attended services regularly and participated in home Bible studies in addition to hosting the same in her home. I have no doubt that Our Lord came for her one night as she peacefully slept...as she was in good health and we had no expectation of her leaving without a goodbye.
The American Imigrant Wall of Honor, Eliis Island, New York:
Honoree Name as Inscribed Country of Origin
129. Marianna Anita Scalzi Clara Italy Panel 82
~ To a wonderful Mother: ~
"No matter how the world may change, With new things every day, The gentle art of motherhood, Will never go away, Thank Goodness for the tender love, And guidance in the plan, That mothers have been part of, Ever since the world began, Thank Goodness for the kindness, And the thoughtfulness they show, Their patience and encouragement, To help their children grow, Thank Goodness for the selflessness, Of mothers everywhere, Because the future of the world, Rests safely in their care."
^O^ ^O^ ^O^ ^O^
*I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Mr. David Kessler for taking the time to visit and photograph the final resting place of my parents and brother Fortunato.
May your kindness be returned to you a hundred fold Sir.
Thank you for the beautiful 'Easter gift'!
** Special thanks to Edward Leffew for paying tribute to and honoring the memory of my mother, Anita M. Clara by sponsoring her memorial. Mere words can not fully express the feelings I have for your kindness. I wish for you my friend the kindness you have shown to others be returned to you a hundredfold. Thank you so much Sir.
Please take a moment to visit my beloved daughter Kimberly and wonderful father
Frank
Family Members
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George Marion Scalzi
1914–1995
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Margaret H Scalzi Peterson
1915–2003
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Lucille C. Scalzi Petrocella
1917–2010
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Frances Scalzi
1919–2009
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Ernest Jerome "Ernie" Scalzi Sr
1921–2022
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Catherine L. Scalzi Glavas
1923–1996
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Theresa M. Scalzi Malkowski
1925–2004
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Anthony Jerome Scalzi
1926–1926
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Lena Elizabeth Scalzi Malkowski
1927–2016
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John "Popper" Scalzi
1929–2022