Published January 31, 2020
MELROSE — If there is a word by which Anna Santorelli will be remembered it is “gracious.” Throughout her almost 100 years Anna was a gentle woman, loving wife, mother and grandmother to her large Italian family. And too she was a wonderful neighbor and friend in the various communities she called home.
Anna C. Pescatore was born on December 26, 1920 in Boston the only daughter of seven children to Italian immigrants Umberto and Teresa (Piccilo) Pescatore. Raised on Wheatland Street in Somerville and a graduate of Somerville High School she married Fred Joseph Santorelli in Saint Polycarps Church on September 21, 1941. Residents of the Winter Hill neighborhood in Somerville and later Stoneham they made Orlando, Florida their home in the late 1990’s. Fred died unexpectedly on November 7, 1996 and Anna later moved back to make Melrose her home.
Anna died peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2020 in Bear Mountain Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Reading. She was 99.
The epitome of home maker Anna shared the deliciousness of her cooking and baking with family and friends. Her dishes such as pasta and peas, beef stew and her eggplant parmigiana were all sought after meals. With needle and thread she was award winning in crochet and a very talented seamstress.
In addition to her seven brothers Louis, Nichola, Attilio, Ralph, John, Philip and James Pescatore she is predeaceased by her daughter-in-law, Arlene Cappanelli Santorelli.
She leaves her children, Rosalie DiNapoli (Arthur) of Wakefield, Robert T. Santorelli (Frances Murphy) of Plymouth, John M. Santorelli (Lucille DiPietro Santorelli) of Hoschton, Georgia, Teresa Pagliuca of Natick and Ann Marie Santorelli of Melrose; her grandchildren, Carla Mattuchio (Steven), Todd Santorelli, Michael DiGiogio (Jill), Keith Santorelli (Byron Mora), Michelle Santorelli Larkin, Joel Santorelli (Khara), Scott Santorelli, Mark Pagliuca, Jena Santorelli, Evan Pagliuca (Kennith Bowker); great-grandchildren, Jordan Mattuchio, Shayna, Ailey, Zoya and Giana Santorelli, Logan Mattuchio, Cameron and William DiGiorgio; also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Anna’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, January 30 and again on Friday before leaving in procession to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main Street, Wakefield where her funeral Mass was celebrated. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Memorials in her name may be made to Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135.
