Anna Marie Mancuso

Anna Marie (Gottone) Mancuso left this world on January 30, 2015 to join her husband Frank Gregory Mancuso, son of Frank J. Mancuso and daughter of Virginia Bell, after several months of declining health problems. Anna was born in Flushing Long Island, New York on February 18, 1903 to Antone and Rosemarie Gottone. Her parents moved their family, when she was about 13 years old to Denver, Colorado.

Ann’s mother was a great seamstress and taught her how to sew. When she was about 18 years old she and her good friend Grace opened a Bridal Shop, making wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, ring bearer outfits and flower girl attire. Anna made her own wedding dress and mom made all of my clothes when I was growing up.

Anna met her husband, Frank Gregory Mancuso, when she was about 19 years old; they married on June 20, 1926 in Denver, Colorado and left the day after to make their home in Grand Junction, Colorado.

My Mom Anna was a very special lady. She kept a very neat and clean home, was a fantastic cook, and was a good wife and mother. My father would plant a large garden every year with tomatoes, red and green peppers, eggplants, melons etc. Mom would bottle 350-400 bottles of fruit and veggies, jams and jellies every year. Her nieces and nephews would ask her how to make different dishes because everything was delicious.

When my Father passed away March 12, 1999, my brother took care of mom until his death in July of 2008. At this time mom came to live with me in Murray, Utah. We had purchased a condo in Mesquite, Nevada for retirement - so mom and I would go to Mesquite for the winter. She loved it - warmer etc and she loved to play the penny slot machines, she won, not lots, but it was fun for her.

In 2014 mom turned 110 years old and was honored by the Virgin River Hotel and Casino. They had a large party for her and she was on the marquee. Large posters were signed by friends and relatives and even people checking in the hotel. The mayor of Mesquite had her attend their monthly meeting and introduced her as the oldest person in Mesquite, Nevada. Governor Herbert in Utah has a luncheon every year for all citizens in Utah over 100 years old to attend. He declared mom the oldest woman in Utah in 2009 and 2010. The oldest man was only 102 years old. A beautiful luncheon was given by Stephens Hair - to celebrate mom’s birthday.

Everyone who met my mom, felt like they had known her a long time and everyone called her Grandma!

My mom was admired by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. They wrote stories about her - telling how mom did the washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning and this was when she was 105 years old.

As her daughter I knew she was special and I will cherish these 8 years she has lived with me. She shared stories about her parents, brothers and sisters - how she learned to cook etc, the fun times we had in Mesquite; the great Italian recipes I have mastered over the years, I wrote a cookbook and presented it to my mom for her 100th birthday!

Anna loved life & she saw and enjoyed many inventions throughout her lifetime. Her favorite was the electric stove! She was always excited to see and witness new discoveries and embraced all of them with enthusiasm. Her quick wit, sense of humor, & loving attitude will be truly missed. God blessed us with her in our lives and we are honored for sharing time with her.

Survivors include daughter Rosemarie Morelli; grandson Michael Emery (Jayme) Morelli; granddaughter Carla Morelli-Saurdiff; great-grandson, Michael Chad Morelli; great-granddaughter Kortney Morelli (Tim) Maddock; great-grandson Austin Saurdiff; great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews and great-great nieces & nephews. An amazing legacy she has!

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 73 years, Frank; her son Frank Jr, and daughter Virginia Bell. Parents & 7 siblings; son-in-law Carl Morelli; grandson Greg Morelli; and great grandson Alex Saurdiff.

God has been very good to me to have her in my life as long as He has. They have been special years and I have grown to appreciate every day and will pass on many of the different things that make our bond together very special. Love you Mom. We will miss your smile, laughter and sense of humor. Until we meet again! Love Rosemarie and Families.

A visitation & rosary will be held Friday, February 6, 2015 from 5:00pm – 7:30 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015; 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Grand Junction, CO. Interment will follow@ Orchard Mesa Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com &/or www.callahan-edfast.com

P.S. The R.N. nurse who was verifying moms birth date with Social Security and regarding her birth date and availability, was informed that mom’s birthday is 1903 - not 1904- making mom 111 years old now - and would be turning 112 years old on February 18, 2015!

On January 23, 2015, the Mesa View Health Care gang gave mom a early birthday party, because not many people have the 100 plus in their lives and mom still responded.