Mrs. Marianna "Anna" (Trunfio) Femia

UTICA- Mrs. Marianna “Anna” (Trunfio) Femia, age 108, a resident of the Masonic Care Community of NY, was embraced by the arms of our Lord when she passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 with her loving family by her side. Marianna was born more than a century ago, on September 26, 1910. She was the oldest of nine children of the late Antonio and Fortunata (Lafaro) Trunfio. Anna was raised and educated in Utica graduating from Utica Free Academy with the Class of 1928 as well as a member of the alumni association. She was united in marriage to Vincenzo “Jim” Femia on July 14, 1945 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church. Jim passed away on August 12, 1983. Theirs was a wonderful, wholesome family life embracing their children with an unconditional love and devoted dedication. The love and respect they shared together set a fine example for their children who followed in their footsteps. Upon graduation, Anna was employed by Damsky’s Wholesale Company as a bookkeeper for almost twenty years. She continued her bookkeeping skills maintaining her husband’s business records. Anna was a volunteer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Gift Store and was awarded the Employee Nelson Award, receiving her pin for volunteering over 3,900 hours. After giving up her car on her own, Anna retired at age 99! Among her many accomplishments, she was a distinguished duplicate bridge player and could be found among others who enjoyed the competition of the game. She also loved scrabble and knew all the two and three letter words. She and her sister Fran Arcuri had some real competitive games. Astonishing to many was the fact that she used the Nook to read her many favorite novels. Her grandson Frank Totino gifted it to her on one of her many birthdays. As an avid reader, she would read a novel a week. Anna had perfect diction, and what a vocabulary!!! Anna was a stunning lady and always so prim and proper. In life, she wore many hats. She was a devoted daughter to her parents, a loving wife, an understanding and unconditionally loving mother for her three children, a ‘nonnie’, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Her kitchen creations were memorable, especially her stuffed artichokes, carrot cake, apple pies, cassata, and cookies – they were the ultimate in taste and flavor. Anna was also an avid tennis player in her young years. Throughout her life, she enjoyed going to Florida for the winter with her husband. She never said no to any function, outing, cookout, and family gatherings. Ice cream anytime! She loved going for a ride to Tony and Melissa’s camp on Kayuta Lake. She also made many trips to Long Island to visit her daughter Judy, and grandchildren. Anna truly enjoyed her years at the Brookdale Independent Living Facility in Clinton where she made many close friends. She loved being busy with all the activities and out-of-town trips in which she was the first to sign up. She was able to do this into her hundreds because of her wonderful, loving aides: Karrie, Doug, Peggy, Nicole, Cathy, Amanda, Brook, Judi, and Lisa. Anna was a devout Catholic attending daily and Sunday Masses, Novenas, and church functions at her home parish, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church. Her faith guided her throughout her 108 years into the wonderful, loving, compassionate person she had become. We, who have come to know and love her, thank God every day we had her in our lives. Anna is survived by her children and their spouses, Judy and Dominick Totino of Lindenhurst, Long Island, Mary Chiffy of New Hartford with whom she resided for 18 years, and her son, Rocco Femia, Sr. of New Hartford (Her pride and joy). She deeply missed and always remembered her beautiful daughter-in-law, Amelia “Amy” (Summo) Femia, who passed away on July 23, 2009. Anna was truly saddened by the passing of her son-in-law, Anthony Chiffy who passed away on March 10, 2014; they had a special and loving bond, and she cared for him like a son. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, JoAnn and Anthony Lettini, Frank and Cathy Totino, Debbie and Tony Gagliano, James and Jackie Totino, all from Long Island, James and Mary Femia, Tricia and John MacDonough, Rocco and Sabrina Femia, MaryAnn and Dr. Thomas Caruso, Eve and Dale Van de Wal, Rose and Dominick Mauro, Anthony and Melissa Chiffy, Joseph and Heather Chiffy, Vincent and Nicole Chiffy, her thirty great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She also leaves her sisters, Antoinette Obernesser, and Yolanda Convertino; and her brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Nino and Muriel Trunfio. Anna was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Angelina and Philip Colacicco, Frances and Fred Arcuri, and Josephine Trunfio; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Joseph Trunfio and his first wife Ann, as well as his second wife Louisa, Anthony and Betty Trunfio, David Obernesser, and Roger Convertino. Left to remember her on her husband’s side of the family are her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Nick and Lena Femia, Rose Pugliese, and Marianna Femia. She was predeceased by her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mary Ann and Frank Mazzaferro, Teresa and Frank Pugliese, Lena and Joseph D’Agostino, Frank and Grace Femia, Dominick and Rose Femia, Joseph and Rose Citriniti Femia, Rocco Femia, Salvatore Femia, Natale and Teresa Femia, and Joe Pugliese. Anna also honored and respected her husband’s in-laws from his first marriage of his deceased wife, Rose Gerace Femia, of the Francesco and Mary (Leone) Gerace family. The family extends heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Kevin McCormick for his many years of love, concern and medical care. A heartwarming thanks to Dr. Olteanu and staff at the Masonic Care Community especially those who cared for her in the Albany Household for their never ending care and watchful attention over Anna at this very difficult time. God Bless All Of You. In keeping with Anna’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. The family will honor and commemorate Anna’s life at a private gathering. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Anna’s memory may make a donation to the St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish Memorial Fund online at http://www.mountcarmelblessedsacrament.com/. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The following was written by Marianna's daughter Mary Chiffy after her death: Heaven’s Door On November 21, 2018, Marianna (Ann) departed this earth and arrived at Heaven’s Door. Upon entering at the Heavenly gate, she was greeted by her devoted husband, Jim. They looked at each other and smiled. Then, putting her right arm into her husband’s left arm, they began walking towards the bright shining light. Before her eyes, running up to embrace her was her father, mother, brothers and sisters with loving tears in their eyes. They continued towards the light and behold before them were their loving son in law Tony and their beautiful daughter in law, Amy. Again, they all continued toward the glorious light. Approaching her from a few steps away was this beautiful woman named Rose holding her precious infant son, Rocco. As she came nearer, Ann smiled and reached out her arms towards her. Rose thanked her for unconditionally loving and raising her three children who she had to leave behind at the age of 34. As they began their journey toward the bright light, everyone began to fade. Suddenly Ann fell to her knees and covered her face. Standing before her was the Lord. Ann said, “O LORD, I am not worthy to look upon your face.” The LORD reaching out to Ann and raising her to her feet said, “My dearest earth angel I left you on earth for so long because I needed you to continue guiding my children towards the right path. You were such an inspiration to everyone around you and were still needed on earth. Please follow me.” Everyone began reappearing again and followed the light towards this humongous, illuminated white cloud. As they approached the cloud, it began to open up. The inside lights were not to be seen by human eyes. As the last person entered, the cloud sealed itself. The melodious music and angels singing were unimaginable. Then in a loud heavenly voice the LORD said, “Welcome Ann, I have prepared a special banquet for you. WELCOME HOME.”

Mrs. Marianna "Anna" (Trunfio) Femia

September 27, 1910 - November 21, 2018