Obituary of Anna Mary Bertolini
Anna Mary Bertolini, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024, in Mendham, New Jersey, at the age of 93.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Anna was the second youngest of five children, the only sister in a family of boys. She looked up to her brothers, frequently telling stories of growing up in the only house with a television and phone because her brilliant brothers built them.
She was a loving wife who was truly devoted to her husband, Cesare, through sickness and in health, setting a high bar for her family to live up to. She kept candy bars for him in case his blood sugars got too low, but also let her grandkids eat them when they wanted. Anna was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, taking great pride in raising her children and watching her family grow. Her devotion to her family was unmatched, for example, she learned how to drive at 50 years old, so that she could continue to supply her husband with his wine and lotto tickets after moving to New Jersey. Walking to the local store wasn’t a possibility anymore, so, getting her license was the solution.
Her grandkids spent many hours at her kitchen table listening to her sing songs from the 1940s, as she drank her coffee. She liked to watch Murder, She Wrote and The Golden Girls, but couldn’t enjoy the Olympics because she thought she’d make the gymnasts and ice skaters mess up, called butts coolies, and didn’t like to cook unless it was her “beans and macaroni”. A lifelong singer, she made everything a song. Anna loved to tell us stories of singing as “a little girl on the table” while her whole class listened, talked about doing the “Lindy” with grandpa at the Cotton Club, could never remember our names, but loved us with her whole heart.
She was a giving woman, giving to literally every charity. For less than the price of a cup of coffee, her fridge was covered with letters and pictures of her “sponsored” children, even though we are pretty sure some guy in a factory was writing them. She still receives mail from every religious charity ever formed, despite not having donated since the onset of her illness. She was generous with her time as well, she frequently took her grandkids with her on her rounds to the dollar store, Pathmark, Pro Haircutters and Bottle King. A lifelong Catholic, she preferred the Spanish service because it was close to home and at a convenient time, even if she didn’t understand a word. She was a proud religious education teacher, and she always reminded us to pray to St Anthony.
Anna is survived by her 3 children, Elizabeth Salvatore, Paul (Janine) Bertolini, and Mark Bertolini; grandchildren Addam Trahey, CeAnna (Ian) Chmura, Paul (Cha) Bertolini, Jr., Matthew (Julie) Salvatore, Tara (Dave) Salvatore, Mark (Adrian) Bertolini, Jr., and Lorissa (Connor) Grant. She also leaves a legacy of 9 great grandchildren: Anthony, Brayden, Candace, Jonah, Jeron, Luca, Cesare, Luna, and Gabrielle.
As saddened as we are by her passing, we take great comfort in knowing she is now reunited in heaven with her beloved husband Cesare, her brothers Frank, Albert, Anthony, and Robert, and her granddaughters Briana and Dori.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you honor Anna`s memory by making a charitable contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association at inmemof.org.
In accordance with Anna’s wishes, all services will be private. Anna will be dearly missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and the enduring power of family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.
