Annette Tanzella

On Tuesday February 8, 2022 at the Glen Hill Nursing Home in Danbury, CT Maria Antoinette (Annette) Tanzella loving wife, mother of two, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of five went peacefully into the arms of our Heavenly Father at the age of 99.

Annette was born in the Bronx, New York on January 28, 1923 to Antonio and Maria Cristina (Caposselle) Castaldo. She attended schools in the Bronx. Annette met the “Love of her Life” Charles (Charlie) Tanzella at a church dance when they were both 16 years old and they were togetherever since. She waited for Charlie to return home from European duty during World War II and they married on April 14, 1946. They moved from the Bronx with their 2 children to New Fairfield, CT in 1952 and they made their forever home there and raised their daughter Rosanne and their son Charles (Chuck) there.

Annette worked at Data Control Systems and Graphic Sciences in Danbury, CT. She later worked in the school cafeterias at Western CT State University and at New Fairfield High School.

Annette was a “cat lover”, she especially loved her Siamese cats Peter, Petey, Taffy and Lucy and Her “ginger boy” Benji. She enjoyed bird watching and always had her little bird atlas and binoculars nearby.

Annette was a fabulous cook and could make a delicious meal with anything on hand, Italian meals were her specialty. Her children and grandchildren would gather weekly for family meals and at times her grandchildren would invite their friends to share in family meals. She always welcomed all to enjoy her delicious home-cooked Italian specialties.

Annette was preceded in death by her father Antonio and her mother Cristina; her brothers Angelo Castaldo and Louis Castaldo and her sisters Francis Coshigano, Carmella Calabro and Louisa Castaldo, her son-in-law Emilio Soto Jr and her loving husband of 60 years Charlie.

Annette is survived by her 2 adult children, her son Charles (Chuck) and his wife Christine ; her daughter Rosanne (Emilio Soto Jr) and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren: grandson E.J. (Emilio III) and wife Melissa Soto and their children Emilio IV and Penelope, grandson Christopher and wife Erica Soto and their children Anika, Cecelia and Alexandra, grandson Joshua Soto and and granddaughter Gabriele Soto Gardner. She is also survived be her sister Rose Colavito and many nieces and nephews.

Annette was a beautiful and gentle person who had a beautiful smile and a wonderful and infectious laugh (and she smiled and laughed a lot). She was a very kind and generous person who welcomed all into her home.

Annette will be missed so very much, and though it is so difficult to say "Goodbye", we know that she is now reunited with her Love Charlie.

We love you Mommy, please say "Hello" to Daddy and Emilio for us.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Wednesday February 16th at Saint Peter Church, Danbury. Interment in the Gerow Cemetery, New Fairfield will be private.

The family will receive friends at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury on Wednesday February 16th from 9:00am until 10:00am.