Ann M. Nastasi passed away in her sleep on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019 at the age of 97.
Ann Nastasi, 97, passed away on Jan. 13. Her funeral will be on Thursday, Jan. 17.
She was born in 1921 to Maria and Mario Russo, who had immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. She grew up in Queens and worked for the New York Times, where she became secretary to the editor.
She left her job and moved to Darien to marry her beloved John Nastasi. She continued reading the New York Times most of her life as she had been accustomed to reading it from cover to cover.
She was a devoted wife to John and mother of three children. She spent many years volunteering for the Darien Community Association. She loved creating with decoupage, sewing, crocheting and even upholstery.
— an obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
Her home was her focus. She was an excellent cook and hosted many parties with her fine traditional Sicilian cuisine. Our everyday dinners in the 50s and 60s were dishes that are trendy now. She took many trips into New York City to source the best ingredients. We still cannot find a cannoli to rival hers.
She loved traveling in Europe, bird watching, brasciole, meatballs and “gravy,” flowers and plants of all varieties, barbecued ribs, pulled pork sandwiches and bread ‘n’ butter pickles, good “clean” jokes, Italian opera and classic tunes from the ’40s and ’50s. She had a beautiful voice and was constantly singing her favorite tunes.
Ann and John moved to Clearwater, Florida in the mid-1980s and cultivated many long lasting friendships there. They also maintained a residence in Norwalk.
She was predeceased by her beloved John and her brother Frank Russo. She is survived by her children: Jo Nastasi, who cared for her until her death, Mary Lou Bierman (and her husband, Adam, and their children Emily and David), and Louis Nastasi (and his former wife, Mary, and their children: Annie and John). She is also survived by her nephews: Frank Russo, Anthony Russo, Stephen Russo and their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019 at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ASPCA, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128.