Annamaria Bambara

was a gracious and independent woman who loved her family and friends, her

work, travel, painting, preparing fabulous meals for guests, and her Italian

heritage. Born in Venice of Andrea and Olga Chiaruzzi, she made a daring move at

age 17, leaving home alone to work in postwar London in 1948. She achieved her

goal to learn English as a way to build a career, but a chance meeting with Joseph

Bambara changed her life, and began a relationship that would last 70 years. They

were married in London, and their only son Massey (Massimo) was born there.

Work opportunities took them next to Tripoli, Libya, where Annamaria worked in

public relations for a multinational oil company. After 5 years in Libya and brief

stints in Italy, they emigrated to the US in 1960, coming first to Las Vegas. It was

not a long leap from the desert of North Africa to that of Nevada, but everything

changed when they took a trip to San Francisco. They fell in love with the city by

the bay at first sight. Within months, they relocated. With her Italian background

and business experience, Annamaria was a great fit for Bank of America, where

she would go on to have a long and successful career. In 35 years at Columbus

Branch, a short walk from where the bank was founded, she started as a teller

and rose to become the first woman manager of that office, a Vice President, and

a brilliant presence in her beloved North Beach. She was a mentor to many, and

helped many businesses in the neighborhood to thrive. She loved her colleagues

and her clients equally, and would often form long-lasting friendships with them.

Beyond her profession, Annamaria was a talented painter who produced art

throughout her life, and after her retirement she worked part-time for several

years at Biordi Imports, where she could always be surrounded by beautiful works

of art. She loved to play tennis, and was always ready to make new friends. One

of her great pleasures was to invite new friends to share her exceptional cooking

and meet old friends at home. Her dinner parties were always memorable. In her

final years, she dedicated herself solely to home and family. Annamaria is

survived by her husband, Joseph Bambara; son Massey (Massimo) and daughterin-law Barbara Jones Bambara; and granddaughter Lauren Bambara. She was

preceded in death by brother Carlo Chiaruzzi, and is survived by numerous nieces

and nephews in Italy. Consistent with her wishes, there will be no ceremony. A

celebration of life is planned to follow.