Anna Braida

Anna (Nina) was born on June 9, 1930 in Castellana Grotte, Italy to Grazia and Andrea Sportelli. Anna immigrated to the United States in 1967. Upon arrival, she worked as a seamstress in a factory in Chicago and later as a nanny to the head of the Italian Consulate. In 1969, Anna met Tarcisio Braida, a widower, through mutual friends and the two were married. Anna immediately became mother to Tarcisio’s 2 youngest children and later to her own child. Anna and Tarcisio worked together raising their children and working on the family farm where Anna had a large garden and farm stand where she sold produce and fresh eggs. Anna’s greatest passions in life were her vegetable gardens, cooking great Italian meals for her friends and family and especially taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Anna was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes church since moving to the area. When Tarcisio died in 1994 Anna moved to Maumee and remained active until her death.

Anna is survived by her children, Graziella (Don) Brown, Ennio (Kathy Foust) Braida, Paula (Joel) Fellman, Angela (Dan) Adams, Francie (Ross France) Braida; grandchildren , Neil Braida, Julie Vasquez, Gina Lovingood, Stephanie Redford, Matthew Brown; 9 great grandchildren as well as her brother Felice (Pasquina) Sportelli.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tarcisio, Mother and Father, and siblings: Rosa, Vittina, Giuseppe and Franco.

Friends will be received on Friday from 2-9 P.M. in Neville Funeral Home, Southwest Chapel, 7438 Airport Highway in Holland (419-865-8879) where Scripture Services will be held at 7 P.M. Funeral services will begin at 11:15 A.M. in the funeral home on Saturday, November 8, 2014 with prayers and proceed to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 P.M. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may do so in Anna’s name to either Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church or to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.