Anna Marie Fognani was born in Pueblo, Colorado on July 26, 1924, and passed away in Littleton, Colorado on January 20, 2021. She was a lifelong resident of Pueblo until moving with her husband, Victor, to the Denver area in 2004, to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom she was completely devoted. Anna Marie loved education and attended and graduated from Central High School in 1943. After graduation, she worked as a legal secretary before meeting and marrying her loving husband in April 1948. Before retiring and moving to the Denver area, she worked for years at Pueblo Chemical Company and Chemway where she formed lifelong bonds with Willis “Tuffy” Holland and Jack Day and their families. Anna Marie was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth “Bettina” (Nardini) and Aldo Biggi (an Italian immigrant); her loving husband, Victor; her sister, Geraldine Biggi; and a grandson, Ryan Fognani, as well as a nephew and numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Mike (Mary) Fognani; John (Nancy) Fognani; and Karen (Peter) Smaus; her grandchildren, Marc (Roberta) Fognani;, Matthew (Kim) Fognani; John Michael Fognani; Michael (Christi) Fognani; Andrew (“Drew”) Fognani; and Christina Smaus; and four great- grandchildren, Breanna, Tyler, Daelyn and Kaelah Fognani. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Erma Robinson of Albuquerque, N.M., and numerous well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Anna Marie lost her mother, Bettina, when she was 10-1/2 years old to a brain tumor and was raised thereafter along with her younger sister, Gerrie, by their father, Aldo. As a teenager, Anna Marie contracted polio and was left with an atrophied left leg but never let that stand in the way of a full life despite having to use crutches for years before her ankle was fused to enable her to walk without them. Although discouraged by doctors from having children, she gave birth to three children who became the focal point of her life. Despite her physical condition that could have adversely impacted her view of life, she never considered herself to be a victim or disabled in any regard but lived life to the fullest with her immediate and extended family. She was a member of the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church for over 40 years and a devout Catholic until her age and physical condition prevented regular attendance at mass. She was an excellent cook and baker with many recipes passed on to numerous family members and she and Victor always enjoyed family and holiday events that took place over the years, and the many trips, picnics, reunions and mushroom hunts. Anna Marie and her beloved husband, Victor, were married nearly 60 years at the time of his death in February 2008. She will be remembered at services to be held at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church in Pueblo, Colorado. Recitation of the rosary will be at 7 p.m., January 27, 2021, with a mass, 10 a.m., January 28, 2021, and interment at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anna Marie’s name to the Shrine of St. Therese Church, 300 Goodnight Avenue, Pueblo, CO., 81004, or to the Alzheimer’s Association (see Funeral Home or Association website). The family plans to host a celebration of life memorial at a later date when those she touched and loved can gather safely. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
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