Anna Marchese

In Loving Memory of Anna Marchese (Russo) who passed away at Royal Inland Hospital on November 14, 2021 after a brief illness. Anna was born in Cosenza Italy to Luigi and Amelia Russo on October 13th1939. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Frank. She is survived by her devoted husband Antonio, sons, Rick, George (Judy) and Rocco (Lindsay), grandchildren Sarah (Mark), Jason, (Jaden), Isabella and Lucy, great grandchildren, Bennett, Harper and Leonardo, siblings Rocco (Cheryl), Sam (Theresa), Sylvia (Rick) and Aldo as well as many other extended family.

As the oldest of six children Anna played a large role in caring for her siblings and helping her mother through the difficult post wars years in Southern Italy. In 1959, Anna bravely immigrated to Canada to stay with her cousins in Kamloops, BC. She then invited Antonio to join her, and they were married in a small ceremony on New Years Day 1960. Through the challenging years of adjusting to a new country and language, to the raising of three rambunctious boys, and the feeding and spoiling of four grandchildren, Anna remained the constant source of connection and strength for the Marchese family. She took care of everyone.

In the early 1980s Anna became one of the first vendors at the Kamloops Farmer’s Market. Anna’s Garden Produce sold hearty homegrown vegetables: carrots, beets, swiss chard, spinach, cucumber and beans. Anna’s stall was best known for her beautiful bouquets of flowers which have graced many Kamloops homes over the years. Through the Farmers Market, Anna made countless friends. She will be dearly missed all.

Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops, BC with a Graveside to follow.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoening Funeral Services