Annamaria deLaurentis

Annamaria deLaurentis, formerly of Binghamton, NY, passed away in Deerfield Beach, FL on December 9, 2016. Predeceased by her husband Nicholas, she is survived by daughter Caroline Gilfillan, (the late Peter Gilfillan), East Amherst, NY; daughter Sarah deLaurentis (Dr. Daniel Ceccoli), Lighthouse Point, FL; son Vincent John deLaurentis (Elaine), Naples, FL; grandson Jonathan Gilfillan (Stacy), Houston, TX; granddaughter Sarah O’Toole (John),Wellesley, MA; grandson Nicholas deLaurentis (Elizabeth), Petersburg, NY; great grandsons Ethan Gilfillan, John Peter O'Toole and Anthony deLaurentis; great granddaughters Melanie and Katherine deLaurentis.

Annamaria was from Rome, Italy, and attended the University of Rome. During the final years of World War II, she assisted as a translator in the newly liberated government of Italy, receiving formal recognition from the President of the Council of Ministers for her work. It was during that time that she met her beloved Nicholas, who was serving as an Officer in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in Rome subsequent to his decorated tour of duty with the U.S. Army in the European African and Middle Eastern campaign. They married in Rome in 1946 and began life in Binghamton accompanied by Annamaria’s beloved mother Sarah deHonestis, Annamaria’s father having passed away many years prior.

On May 16, 1949, following her naturalization as a U.S. citizen, she addressed a crowd of over 1500 people on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse in Binghamton on “I Am an American Day.” The eloquence of her speech was noted by the local newspapers. Annamaria’s passion for the beauty of the Italian language was unwavering. In 1951 she was certified by the NYS Dept. of Education to teach Italian in Adult Education classes at Binghamton Central High School. At that time, a newly-formed organization, the American Civic Association, was being developed to assist foreign born persons immigrating to United States. Recognized for the value of her language skills, background and experience, Annamaria was invited by the Association’s founders to join their work. Her career as an immigration and naturalization specialist at the Association spanned 32 years, including almost a decade as its Executive Director. In 1955, she traveled to Chicago to appear in a live, televised tribute to the work of the Association, a program which aired both in Chicago and on Binghamton’s WNBF. Over the years, she was frequently interviewed by local media regarding the many activities hosted by the Association to help assimilate the foreign born into the community.

Annamaria was active in community affairs, serving on the boards of several local organizations. She was a member of the Civic Club of Binghamton and the Monday Afternoon Club. She shared a love of the arts and culture, especially opera, and was an early supporter of the original Performing Arts Theater and a member of the Tri-Cities Opera Guild. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Binghamton, and most recently St. Ambrose Catholic Church of Deerfield Beach, FL.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2016, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Deerfield Beach, followed by entombment at the Boca Raton Mausoleum, Boca Raton at 11:00 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are by Babione Funeral Home, Boca Raton, FL.