Anna Lucille Manzi Pesce

1938 – 2015

Anna Lucille Pesce (née Manzi) was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts to Pasquale (Patsy) and Philomena (Fanny) Manzi. She had two sisters: Vera and Sandra. Anna grew up in Malden, Massachusetts, shining as a gifted scholar and athlete in school; she was a member of the National Honor Society, and she lettered all three years in softball, field hockey and basketball. Anna continued her education at Tufts University (Jackson College), majoring in mathematics. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. After graduating in 1960 she worked for four years at Avco (Aviation Corporation) in Everett, Mass., as a programmer—one of the few women in the field at that time.

In 1964 she married Dr. Amadeo J. Pesce and accompanied him to the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and then to his new job at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. The couple had three children: Sandra, Dominic, and Nicholas. The family relocated again in 1973 to Cincinnati, Ohio, where the children would grow up and where Amadeo and Anna would spend the next 33 years. Anna stayed active in sports and in her community. She also worked for Dialysis Clinic, Inc. for 10 years as a computer programmer.

Anna travelled globally with her husband to many wonderful places, including Mexico, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Australia and much of the United States. In addition to travel, Anna was a gracious hostess in her own home, presiding over holiday dinners and Woman’s Club Gourmet Circle functions, and treating out-of-town guests like her own family. Her home was the hub of gatherings for many relatives, friends and neighbors.

In 1993, Anna’s world changed suddenly. She suffered a massive stroke that paralyzed her left arm and leg, and rendered her cognitively impaired. She was 54 years old. Since she could no longer care for herself, Anna was blessed with having Teddy Scott and Louise Prewitt as home caregivers. Both Teddy and Louise went above and beyond their normal duties to care for Anna and became extended members of the family.

Anna was also a breast cancer survivor, undergoing a lumpectomy and treatments in 2004 and 2005. Fortunately, she was able to keep the cancer under control through medications.

In 2006, Amadeo retired from the University, sold the house in Cincinnati, and moved with Anna to San Diego, California to be with the children who had all relocated there in years previous. As always, their new home became the heart of many gatherings, including birthday parties and large family dinners involving children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors.

In 2008, it became evident that Anna could no longer live at home without skilled supervision, so she was placed into an assisted living facility, The Gateway Gardens. After several years there, her health declined further and by summer 2014 she was moved to a skilled nursing facility, St Paul’s McColl Health Care Center.

In October 2014, Anna and Amadeo celebrated 50 years of marriage with a small ceremony at a chapel at St. Paul’s Villa, attended by local family and friends.

In February 2015, Anna became very ill. She passed away Saturday, February 21st. She was 76. Anna is survived by her husband Amadeo; her children Sandra, Dominic (Shannon), and Nicholas (Cynthia); four grandchildren Clarice, Sonia, Brigid, and Liam; and her sister, Vera Modugno.

Anna was a special woman. We will miss her dearly.

Services for Anna L. Pesce

Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

4:00-8:00 p.m.

Visitation and reception

El Camino Memorial Park, Sorrento Valley Chapel,

5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121

Thursday, March 5th, 2015

10:00 a.m. Mass

St. Catherine Labouré Catholic Church,

4124 Mt. Abraham Ave., San Diego, CA 92111

11:30 Graveside service

El Camino Memorial Park, Sorrento Valley Chapel,

5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121

12:15 Reception

El Camino Memorial Park, Sorrento Valley Chapel,

5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to

The American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.