Anna Camilla Valle

Anna Camilla Valle, née Nizzia, peacefully returned home to our heavenly Father on February 2 , 2021. She was born 96 years ago, on January 3, 1925, in the small mining community of Frontenac, Ks. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Simone and Domenica (Minnie) Nizzia, née Vercoglio.

At three years old, our mother returned to her father’s hometown in Favria Canavese, Italy, where she had a happy childhood overshadowed by the looming WW2. After the war, in 1950, she moved to Los Angeles, Ca., to live with her cousins, work as a seamstress, and learn English.

In the 1953, she returned to Favria to marry her soulmate and love of her life, Dr. Guglielmo Pietro Ernesto (Mimmo/William) Valle, M.D. from Ceva, Italy, after his military service and completion of medical school.

In 1955, our parents immigrated back to the U.S. and settled in Phoenix, Az., where our papalino, William, began residency at the Good Samaritan Hospital before starting his own private OB/GYN practice in North Phoenix. They were members of St. Simon and Jude Cathedral and welcomed their children, Catherine Mary (Cathy) in 1956 and William Samme in 1960.

Sadly, our papalino, Dr. Valle, died early and unexpectedly in 1965, leaving a huge hole in our family and our mom with her very own guardian ‘Angel’. Her love for Mimmo never waivered; she never remarried, preferring to stay married to Mimmo in her heart for the rest of her long life.

With the help of our beloved, little nonna, Minnie, our mamma gave us a wonderful and happy childhood. Anna was an extraordinary and talented tailor and seamstress, and supported our family by working at local tailoring and sewing factories until she retired from Saks Fifth Avenue at the seasoned age of 72. She had an incredible work ethic and loved her craft, and made many dear friends along the way. Our mamma was also was a kind and loving Nonna to her three adored and wonderful grandchildren, Christianne, Willie, and Alex, teaching them how to bake traditional Italian meals and desserts and all about our family’s history.

We want to thank our mamma for being so loving and selfless. Mamma, we’ve lost our guiding light today, but we know that you and Papalino are smiling down on us from heaven. We will take comfort in our cherished family memories and the strength and love you have given us. We will love and miss you both always.

She is survived by her children, William S. Valle of San Diego, Ca., and Cathy and her husband Don Nicholas of Phoenix, Az., and her grandchildren Christianne Marie, née Valle, and her husband Robert Nazarinia, William Nicholas Valle, and Alexander Valle Nicholas.

She will be interred at Saint Frances Catholic Cemetery, beside our beloved Papalino and little Nonna. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Anna’s memory can be made to the Banner Health Foundation, Tree of Life (formerly the Good Samaritan Hospital which brought our family to lovely Phoenix, Az.)