Anna Catherine Sears, born Innocenza Catherine Davoli, was born on October 17, 1928, to Fortunato (Fred) and Francesca (Frances) Davoli in Brownsville, PA. She was the 4th born of 5 children. Anna lived in Brownsville with her family until she moved to Florida in 1957.
During the Space Race of the 1950s, Anna worked for Martin Company on the missiles. Due to her small stature, she was able to fit into the tight confines of the missiles nose to solder the wires, making her the first woman to be inside the Pershing Missile. She was so very proud to show her grandchildren the Pershing Missile that stood in front of Patrick Airforce Base until 2011, which is now on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
It was through her love for dancing that she met the love of her life, Billy, in 1958. Anna and Bill Sears were married on June 15, 1960 in Brownsville, PA. They had their only child, TheresaAnn on April 24, 1964; then six months later moved from Orlando, FL. to West Palm, FL. They later moved to Melbourne, FL. in 1968, where she and Billy lived out their lives.
Anna was best known as the Physical Education teacher at Ascension Catholic School from 1970 until 1986. She also worked in the school office and as a substitute teacher until her first grandchild was born. From that point on, she dedicated the rest of her life to her family. She was overjoyed to care for and help raise each of her grandchildren. Her loving influence can be found in Matthew’s passion for the Pittsburgh Steelers; Kayla’s love for baking; and Lydia Ann’s love for dancing. Most of all, she raised TheresaAnn to be a loving mother to her own children and grandchildren.
She was a faithful and steadfast member of Ascension Catholic Church since 1968. As an active participant in the community, she was elected Secretary, Vice-President and President of the Women’s Guild at Ascension. In addition, she was a lifetime member of the Catholic Daughters of America, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus and a VERY PROUD member of the National Federation of Republican Women.
Anna, also known as “Nanny”, loved her family more than life itself. She was a surrogate mother and grandmother to many, and never let you leave her house without eating. It wouldn’t be Christmas until you had her delicious home-made, Italian cookies. She loved her Pittsburgh Steelers. Even when her eyesight had faded, she would listen to the game while waving her Terrible Towel for her Steelers, as her son-in-law, Kelly would tell her play by play what was going on.
Her memory will live on through her family, along with her devotion to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Blessed to have danced at her grandchildren’s weddings and hold her great-grandchildren, Anna left a legacy of love, faith and Italian traditions that her family will forever treasure.
Anna is preceeded by her husband, William (Bill) Sears, her paerents Fred and Frances Davoli, her siblings Christina Davoli, Angeline Davoli Nichols, Marie Davoli and James V. Davoli Sr and her nephew Thomas J. Nichols.
She is survived by her daughter ThersaAnn Sears Swartz and son-in-law Kelly D. Swartz, her grandchildren, Matthew William Swartz, Kayla Frances Aguilar, Lydia Ann Mincey and her great- grandchildren Caden James Swartz, Everett Michael Swartz, Connor William Aguilar, Ivy Grace Aguilar and Kora Ann Aguilar, 2 sister- in-laws, 1 brother-in-law,3 nieces, 2 nephews, 6 great-nieces, 5 great-nephews and 8 great-great nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US highway 1, Rockledge, FL on Friday, July 24, 2020, from 5-7p.m, with a prayer service at 6:00pm. A Funeral Service will be held Ascension Catholic Church Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 11:30a.m with internment immediately following funeral at Florida Memorial Gardens. Reception to follow interment at Ascension Catholic Church Hall.
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