Anna "Ninella" DelVillano

DELVILLANO, Anna (nee Giandomenico), September 5, 2023, Age 83. Beloved wife of the late Gaetano. Loving mother of Tony (Paulie), Ronny (Marlene), Sandy (Kevin) Marchi, and Lisa ("MyTony") Mannino. Loving grandmother of 9 and great-grandmother of 7. Anna, known also as, “Ninella,” was born to Giulia and Giovanni in 1940, in Vacri, a small Italian village. Her father was serving in the war when Anna was born. Her mother, with the help of Anna’s older sister Angiolina, cared for, and protected, little Anna as the war ravaged their small village. Anna’s father returned home from having been a prisoner of war in Africa by walking across eastern Europe. He was thin, wounded, dirty, and shoeless. Anna caught a glimpse of her father’s reflection in a mirror, and although she had never met him, she joyfully screamed out, “Papa” and ran into his loving arms. Anna was 5 years old. Anna’s family slowly began rebuilding their lives and 9 years after Anna was born, the family welcomed Anna’s younger sister, Graziella, completing their family. From a young age, Anna was a devout Catholic and had a deep appreciation for her faith and as a teenager she taught Sunday School to the younger children of her village. She didn’t teach in a classroom, she didn’t have textbooks; instead she memorized scripture and prayers and taught her students about their faith while working in the olive groves and vineyards. Oftentimes, she and her students could be heard singing church hymns in those fields. At 19 years old, Anna married Gaetano and shortly after that, she arrived in America. They settled on the east side of Detroit and began their family. Four children under the age of 5 years old, and often without using words, Anna taught them about love and sacrifice, generosity and faith, resilience and endurance. Anna worked outside the home to help support her family. She was a dependable and conscientious worker. Anna had many passions. She was a talented baker; a cook who could prepare a meal for 50 people in under 15 minutes. She was a gifted horticulturist whose indoor plants lasted for decades. She was also a seamstress who cut the bottom of her own evening gown so she could make dresses, fancy scarves included, for her little girls’ dolls. An arts and crafts enthusiast, Anna was always busy. Starting in 1988, Anna gained her favorite title, “Nonna.” She deeply loved her nine grandchildren and as a typical Italian Nonna, she overfed them and always made sure they left her home with a “Nonna Dollar.” Her grandchildren were her joy. The great-grandchildren further filled her heart with love. Her grandchildren include: Antoinette (Joe), Ron (fiancé Liz), Nick (Angie), Vinny (Caitlin), Giulia (Jared), Lucia (Kevin), Marco, Alyssa, and Lukey. Loving great-grandmother to Gavin, Niko, Lorenzo, Giovanni, Marlia, Luca, and soon-to-be baby Schmitt. Anna left this world peacefully surrounded by family. It is a comfort to her family to know that as she transitioned from her earthly life to eternity, she greeted her Heavenly Father by joyfully screaming out, “Papa” and running into His loving arms. Visitation Sunday September 10th, 3-9pm with a 7pm Sharing of Memories & Rosary service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons. 36900 Schoenherr Rd. at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate Monday 9am until the 9:30am Funeral Mass at St. Blase Catholic Church, 12151 15 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" @ WujekCalcaterra.com

Anna "Ninella" DelVillano

August 28, 1940 - September 5, 2023