Anna Maria Torre

Anna Maria Torre passed away in the comfort of her home the evening of February 28, 2024, surrounded by her husband, son, and daughter. She is survived by her husband of 55 years Vincenzo (“Vinny”), son Salvatore (Gwen), and daughter Francesca (Adam). She is preceded in death by her parents Francesco and Natale Gimmillaro and her sister Adelina. She is survived by her brother Filippo. Maria was born on May 9, 1940, in Floresta, Sicily, Italy. She is the oldest of the three children and was a hard worker who did everything for her family on their farm through very tough social and economic times in Italy. Anna Maria was an extraordinary cook, baker, seamstress, faithful Catholic, and overall iron-willed lady. In 1968, she met her husband who was also from Sicily but lived in the U.S. Vinny and Maria were soon married in Motta Sant’Anastasia, Sicily, Italy, and she left everything to build a life for her future family in Mount Vernon, New York. Without speaking English, she came to this country and built her version of the American dream with love and perseverance. Anna Maria soon taught herself English, learned to drive, made many friends, and always helped others.

Anna Maria cherished her children Salvatore and Francesca and did everything to raise them to have every opportunity for love and success. She was homemaker during the day and eventually worked in the evenings to be able to purchase a home and provide her children a Catholic Education. Although there were many long days and nights, she still cooked everything from scratch, never complained, and made many sacrifices to raise her family with integrity and faith. Despite all this, she loved to laugh, made time for family and friends, and spent many times at Glen Island Beach with enough food to feed the entire beach. Anna Maria made countless trips to her home in Sicily giving her children the summers with her family, and then years after to care for her ailing parents and sister- Family is All. Later in life, when spending family vacations at LBI, she could always be found walking miles on the beach and napping with her decades old Bible in her lap.

The greatest joy of Anna Maria’s life was her grandchildren (“Gioia della nonna”): Natalee, Michael, Kaitlyn, Matthew, and Marco. Nonna would never put anything before these precious babies and taught them so much through words and actions. Nonna was always babysitting, cooking, teaching, and laughing with them. Words cannot express the indelible impact her life and wisdom has had on these now young adults. Although we are heart broken by the loss, she will always be with us in every aspect of our lives.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Anna Maria's Honor. See link below.

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