I have the hard but most honorable job to say a few words about Mom, Anna Manzi.  Although she would say, Aches and Pains, that's my name, she wore many titlesMom, Grandma, Fanny, sister, Aunt Anna, cousin and friend.  And she wore those titles like none other.
If you are here today, you know her story.  One of 7 daughters of cabinet maker, Benedetto and his wife Ida Civitenga; wife of Frankie Noodles Manzi, mother of Stella, Paul and son-in-law Andy.  She had well over a dozen grand- and greatgrandchildren and she was Aunt Anna to everyone else!
Mom's antics started from the beginning when her father, having no son, recruited Anna as his apprentice.  Instead of doing her work she would pin the curly wood shavings in her hair so she could look like Shirley Temple and she always brought him the wrong tools.  Grandpa Benedetto would show his appreciation by giving her a few cracks to her head.  Too bad cellphones weren't around back then.  I am certain she would have gone viral on Facebook.
We all know her claims to fameher meatballs that looked like cannon balls, but ever so good; her giant cream puffs, where just 1 could feed a family of 12.  She always had Doublemint gum in her bag, she loved Betty Boop and her two vices in life were Macy's and Engelbert Humperdink!
I was trying to pull my favorite Mom story but unfortunately, there is no single one!  From her daily antics with Aunt Mary, Aunt Edith, Uncle Tommy, Margaret and Darlene, to Sunday dinners with all of us crowded around her table, to disciplining her son with a guitar, broom or anything else that was handy.
As I look out at all of us here, I see the bubbles over your heads and each of you smiling thinking about your own cherished story of Mom.  She was a pip!
If one thing holds true for her, Mom loved us all; and if family were the lottery, she would say she hit the jackpot!  Family was her treasure in life.
But we all know life wasn't all fun and games for Mom.  She lost her husband at a very young age.  Left with 2 children, she pulled herself up by her bootstraps, went to work at a factory; and against all odds and with a little help from her sisters and brothers-in law, she pulled it off, wrote one beautiful story and left an amazing legacy!
She graced us for 96 years, of which 38, I got to be her daughter-in-law.  And spanning over those 5 decades (yes, from the 70's to now), she taught me so much about family, courage, persistence, faith, independence, friendship and how when life knocks you down, you get right back up.
If I could have her for one more conversation, I would ask her how she did it without complaint.  If anyone earned the right to complain, it was Mombut she never did.
On the bright side, she filled our books with chapters and pages of loving and fun memories.  And I think we can all say she did an outstanding job of leaving our worlds a lot better having been part of it.
Mom, you earned your wings and you are once again with your husband and all of your family in heaven.  I don't think I could do your remembrance justice without a few words from Engelbert.
So, If I could catch a star before it touched the ground, I'd place it in a box, tie ribbons all around and then I'd offer it to you.  A token of our love and deep devotion.  The world's a better place with you to turn to and we're a better family for having loved you.
Mom, we love you; we thank you for always being there and we say arrivederci until we meet again.
P.S.  A little bit of advice when you get to heaven.  Please let God, our Blessed Mother, Jesus and all the angels and saints, get used to you for a few weeks before asking them, What must I do.
Love, Lisette

Dear Aunt Anna,

I am heartbroken to hear about your passing, and so sorry we were unable to be there for your funeral, as we are currently out of state.  I will always remember you as being one of the most kindest, sweetest, gentlest woman I have ever known.  You always thought of us kids growing up, and I remember how you always sent us a card for all the holidays. I'm so glad you were at my wedding 10 years ago and met my wife Gina. I wish you could have met my son Kevin, you would have gotten such a kick out of him! You know, I still have that stuffed animal you knitted for me when I was a baby. I always cherished it when I was a toddler and took it with me everywhere. I'm sorry I never thought to tell you that I still have it. It's in my old toy box in the basement at my mom's house, so once I locate it I will pass it on to Kevin. I will never forget how you loved us all so much, and how loved you were by all of us. I love you very much Aunt Anna, may you rest in peace. Until we meet again...

Your nephew,
Paul

Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of Anna. Rest in Peace.

OBITUARY

Anna Manzi

February 7, 1919 – October 16, 2015

Morisco Funeral Home

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