Mrs. Anne Louise "Aunt Annie" (Malerba) LaBella

Mrs. Anne Louise “Aunt Annie” (Malerba) LaBella, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in the comfort of her home with her loving family by her side, following a seven-year courageous battle with cancer. Born in Utica on September 3, 1926, Anne was the daughter of the late Augusto and Carmella (Gianpaollo) Malerba. She was raised and educated in Utica. In March of 1948, Anne married Michael N. LaBella with whom she shared 37 years in a joyous union until Mike’s passing in 1985. A dedicated employee, Anne worked in local electrical component assembly plants, most notably General Electric, her favorite, and Sun Air in Ft. Lauderdale, FL the city to which she relocated in 1974. Anne will be remembered as quiet and unassuming. She was a generous, loving wife and mother, and she enjoyed entertaining her grandchildren with stories. Vibrantly energetic, she embraced life moment by moment. The motto ‘nothing left undone’ perhaps best defines her general outlook on life. Maintaining a stable household, cooking, sewing, restoring old furniture, and taking trips to Europe with Mike were cornerstones of her existence. Those fortunate enough to have known “Aunt Annie” invariably lit their candles on her brightly burning flame. She was that kind of glowing person, and her undiminished gusto for any activity in which she participated proved to be irresistibly inviting. Later on, into her seventies and eighties, Anne loved — absolutely loved — extended road trips, mostly along America’s less traveled highways. With both feet planted on the passenger-side dashboard, she contemplated the ever-changing panorama unfolding around her, be it a cotton patch down South or a redwood forest on the Pacific Coast, among countless other delights, and remained inquisitive, stopping often for closer inspection. Anne’s curiosity recognized few boundaries. These journeys usually culminated in visits to wherever her son Albert, a career military officer, was stationed. The ensuing days were filled with the company of her beloved granddaughters, Mia and Sophia. The laughter and playful banter commonly associated with close-knit family ties were inevitable. These were indeed magical times. Anne is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Nicholas A. LaBella of Utica, and Albert M. (Lieutenant Colonel/Retired) and Sharon G. LaBella of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Always close to her heart was the memory of her son, Anthony M. LaBella, who passed away on October 7, 2001. She also leaves her granddaughters, Mia, and Sophia LaBella, both of North Carolina; her sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Henry Mancini of NY Mills; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and brother-in-law, Nick Redanty. She was predeceased by her brothers and sister-in-law, Albert Malerba, Louis and Mary Malerba, and Tony Malerba; and her sisters, Elizabeth Garcea, and Rosemary Redanty. The family extends special thanks to Dolores Mancini, Terri LaBella, Gina LaBella, Diane Ford, and Preston and JoAnne Steffan for their unwavering support and kindness throughout even the most difficult days. For this, the family remains eternally grateful. Also meriting acknowledgement for their compassion and medical expertise are Susan Griffing/FN-P, and the staff of Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., particularly Mary Ellen, Georgia, and Melissa. The family will honor and commemorate Anne’s life in a private gathering. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Anne’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday morning at 11:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org or Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. online at http://www.hospicecareinc.org; envelopes will be available at the service. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Anne Louise "Aunt Annie" (Malerba) LaBella

September 3, 1926 - June 1, 2016