It’s 2019 and I still miss you every day Mrs D.  You have helped fill my love for music in a way I could never put into words.  It was at Chafin’s  music center where I wanted to rent a piano with my earnings from my first job.  My mother, Anna,  asked the gentlemen there if he knew any good piano teachers and without hesitation the gentlemen said, Mrs DeMatteo was the best.   A few weeks later we met and I instantly fell in love with her smile and joy for teaching.  I do not play as much as I should but when I do I always picture you sitting beside me.  I miss you terribly and will always cherish the teachings, piano duets,  tea together and chats we always had.   I love you Mrs D.
Your student and friend,
Tim Cain


To all family & friends of Anita DeMatteo: It was hard enough to lose my dad however losing my mom (and in such a short period of time) has been devastating. I want to take a moment and extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you for your calls, visits, prayers and words of encouragement over these past several months. Your out pouring of love and support to my beloved parents before they took their last breath here on earth ... as well as being there for my family and I ... will never be forgotten. May God bless you always, Monica

To my beloved mom,
It was heartbreaking to watch as you suffered so the last few weeks of your life here on this earth. On October 17, 2010 just 80 day's after dad left to become an angel ~ you left this world to become an angel too. You are once again together with your loving husband. I know how sick you were and that you could not go on without him. I will always embrace what you have taught me through the years and carry that along with the love you showed not only for me, but for my family. You have raised me to the best of your ability and for that I want to thank you. Thank you for being kind, thank you for being stronger than you know and most most of all thank you for loving all of us! I'm pretty sure both you and dad are looking down ~watching, guiding, & protecting us from above. I miss you all the time and can not tell you how often I hear your voice, but I know you you both are here with me and this gives me some comfort during this very difficult period in my life. I was and will always be proud to call you "Mom". You will forever be a part of my life, and through me you you both will always be a part of Eric and Tim's life too. We are your legacy. Now that you're gone ~ you will remain in our hearts forever till the day we are all together again. Your memory will never be forgotten - R.I.P, my beautiful mom
I pray to God and ask him to see me through these sleepless nights and endless days. Your loving daughter, Monica

Dear Michelle and Monica,
It was so sad to hear that your mom has died. Like those who have written here, I have a very fond place in my heart for her. Your family lived across the street from us as we were all growing up and I spent lots of time babysitting for the two of you. I loved spending time with Anita and I have fond memories of her sitting at our kitchen table having a cup of coffee with us and just chatting. She was a very special lady.
Thank you for sharing the extensive biography and pictures. I knew your mom as a piano teacher and don't have any recollection of her sharing about her life as a professional singer so I appreciated learning all this about her.
May God bless you with his comfort and peace as you miss having her in your life.

I found this poem and wanted to share this with you it is by Ruth Ann Mahaffey 
 
******

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Dearest Mommy,
Not a day has gone by where I didn't want to pick up the phone and tell you the latest news from the North.  You have taugh Monica and I the value of being a family - the closeness, the love, and the support for one another.  You and Dad showed us what a love between a husband and wife should be like and the love between a parent and a child.  You sacrified so much for us and was always there to share our good times and to help us during our times of struggle. I know the love that John and I share grows stronger everyday and with the Lord's blessing, our love will be like the love you and Daddy have.

My birthday will never be the same for I will never hear your elaborate version of "Happy Birthday" with Dad joining in on the bass or tuba.  You have made music a part of me that I will always treasure. So many of my memories are of us playing music together. Although I can no longer hear your voice or hold you,  your love remains in my heart.  Every morning I say good morning to your picture and at the end of the the day I tell you the news of the day. I say good night to you, tell you how much I love you and miss you and I kiss your picture. No matter the miles apart or in heaven, we will always be a family and our love for each other will reach out and find our hearts to comfort us and see us through until we are together again. I am glad that you are at peace and are with Daddy again. You were so lost with out him. Now you are whole again. I can only imagine the heavenly music you are playing. 

Loving you with all my heart,

Dear Monica, Michelle and Families,
We were so sad to hear that your mom passed away. We are sorry that we lost touch over the years, but we will always cherish the fond memories we have of our "Aunt Anita". Her laughter and music will remain in our hearts forever. Please take care and know that we are thinking about you all.

     Anita DeMatteo and her late husband, Eddie--both superlative musicians, will be sorely missed by not only their immediate families, but by the many musicians who for years admired their wonderful personalities and superior talent--she as a concert pianist and piano teacher, he as a master of the bass viol, electric bass, and tuba.  

   We had known, enjoyed, and made music with them when they were living and performing in Rochester, NY.  Twenty  years ago we bought a winter place in Lake Worth, and not long thereafter, someone mentioned that Ed and Anita were in the same area.  

     We made contact, and for the next couple decades we again enjoyed being with, and playing music with them, and looked forward to the annual Christmas Eve dinner and musical night at their home attended by others of their circle of musician friends and family members including daughter Monica and Mark Suess and family(who lived near them) and  daughter Michelle and John DeAngelo and family of  Union Springs in Central NYS.   

About once a week Eddie would bring his tuba to our place (10 min. from their Lantana home)  and we'd "rip some oldies" with Roland synthesizer and tuba.  Tempo and keys were never a problem for Ed's great "musical ear".    

     That, plus the hours of hearing them play, both in concerts and with friends in Florida--which was the life they loved--will be sorely missed.  Daughter Monica carries on the family tradition as a flutist  and piano teacher in the area.       
                                                   --Don and Marge Hunt, Wolcott, NY

Dear Michell and Monica,
We were saddened to hear of your mother and father passing. We all have fond memories of their love of music and teaching. I will make a point to inform Bill and the girls as they are all out of town. Your family will be remembered and kept in our prayers. Sincerely, Dr. and Mrs. William Stephan

Dear Monica and Michelle,

Your Mother made this world a much better place not only with her music but also with her love, kindness and compassion.  I loved her dearly and will miss her tremendously.  I love you Anita.  Anna Raymond

Dear Michell and Monica, Like many your mom was my piano teacher (so everyone thought) but secretly she gave me voice lessons instead, because she knew that's what I wanted. For years I saved a card I "always" meant to send her of a little girl at a piano with a beautiful teacher looking over her shoulder. But alas, I waited too long to send it. She brought culture, class, sophistication and visions of a "bigger world" beyond Rochester to our little house on Whitney St, and I loved her dearly.  With fond and special memories, Dawn (DiPasquale) Marvin, Alexandria, VA

Dear Michelle and Monica, Your mom was my piano teacher in Rochester. She was wonderful. My sincere sympathy. Kathy{Bufano] Garbach

Dear Michell and Monica, Your Mom and dad were dear friends of mine when I lived In Rochester,NY  They were trully great musicians and were loved by all.  They will be missed.

I KNEW ANITA MY WHOLE LIFE.SHE WOULD COME OVER ON SAT.MORNINGS WITH WONDERFUL STORIES AND DELICIOUS SWEETS. SHE WAS A LOVELY LADY AND A GOOD FRIEND TO MY MOTHER. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER ANITA WITH FOND MEMORIES.

Sincere condolences to the family. Anita's love of music inspired us all. From a piano teacher friend, Carolyn and husband Ed Blind.

OBITUARY

Anita Dematteo

Passed away on 17 OCTOBER, 2010

Dorsey - E. Earl Smith Funeral Home and Lake Worth Memory Gardens

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