Ann Orsini

Antoinette “Ann” Mary Orsini (nee Calvina), loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on January 18, 2025. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard, and beloved daughter, Janine, who was her best friend.

Born in the Bronx to Salvatore Calvina and Giovanna Passalacqua in 1932, Ann grew up surrounded by a large loving family that included many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was overjoyed when her younger sister, Jeanie, was born. The two were a fierce and consistent presence for one another and were not only sisters but lifelong friends. Ann adored her children, Richard (Dawn DePalma) and Janine (Charles Dagaev); granddaughters, Jillian, Alexandra, Anna, Nina, and Jenni; and nieces, Yvonne and Jennifer.

Ann was a dedicated and compassionate nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital for many years before starting a second career as a real estate agent with Weichert. She was a caregiver at heart who lovingly tended to both her parents in their later years. You could always count on Ann to lend a helping hand or let you stay overnight or even for an extended period of time.

Ann loved nothing more than being with family. A beloved matriarch, she hosted all the holiday dinners.

Over the years, the number of seats at the table grew and grew. It began with her parents, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and expanded further when her children and nieces married and had children of their own. Many friends became family along the way.

Ann was notorious for her delicious Italian food. You never left her house hungry and learned quickly that it was best to show up wearing an outfit with an expandable waistband. Thankfully she shared her culinary skills and recipes with her daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, sister, and nieces who also became exceptional cooks. Among the family favorites were Ann’s marinara, meatballs, eggplant parmigiana, stuffed artichokes, chicken soup, and pizza. If the amount of garlic used in these signature dishes defined her love, all were assured it was abundant and plentiful!

If her cooking wasn’t enough to make one look forward to visiting, it was Ann’s warm and gracious nature. Her home was open to all, and anyone who came was welcomed like family. Ann was quite the entertainer and never passed up the opportunity to tell a story. She had anecdotes at the ready from her public-facing careers, and made for a wonderful audience for others’ storytelling as well. Her laugh was infectious and she’d often lose control during an especially funny story.

Ann was a remarkable beauty and the epitome of class. She never left the house without putting herself

together; lipstick on, hair and nails done, and confidently sporting a smart outfit that may or may not

contain some form of leopard print. Whether it was an ordinary day or a special occasion, Ann always

looked glamorous. She said that beauty was about enhancing the natural and beautiful things about

oneself. She had a lot to work with.

Ann lived a vibrant life that she led with love, care, laughter, and kindness. She worked through life’s

challenges with grace and faced all with a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She will be dearly

missed by all those who knew and loved her.

A funeral mass for Ann will be held Friday, January 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Parish, 36 W Nyack Rd, Nanuet, NY 10954. Following the funeral mass will be a burial from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, 36 W Nyack Rd, Nanuet, NY 10954.