Anna Maria Giaconia

Anna Maria Giaconia, a one of a kind woman whose strength and commitment to family were unwavering, passed away surrounded by those she loved at the incredible age of 102 on Monday, November 11. A loyal wife, loving mother of seven, devoted sister, adoring nonna of 14 and great grandmother of 21, she lived to make those around her feel happy and loved. 

In her words, her "door was always open," and she shined brightest when she could fill hungry (and even not so hungry) bellies with her delicious homemade meals, no matter what the hour. Her smile and singing could light up a room. She sharpened her English skills with episodes of the Price is Right, Days of Lives and Wheel of Fortune. Displaying her dynamic personality perfectly, despite her passion for keeping the peace, she loved a classic WWE Wrestling match. She never said no to a good glass of wine, shot of 43 or bottle of Corona. Her warmth and thoughtfulness lives on in every bed covered with a meticulously hand-knit blanket. 

Anna Maria was born on April 17, 1922 in the small Sicilian village of Geraci Siculo to parents Maria Rosaria & Salvatore. One of ten children, Anna Maria worked on an olive farm before meeting her beloved husband Joseph. They lived together in Sicily before embarking on their journey to America. She and her two sons joined her husband arriving at their first home in Passaic in 1949. They welcomed countless family members to the United States from Sicily before eventually moving to Clifton. 

Anna Maria was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Giaconia. Loving mother to Bart Giaconia & his wife Elsa, John Giaconia & his wife Karen, Anthony Giaconia and his wife Denise, Mary Corradino and her late husband Peter, Sarina Whritenour and her husband Ken, and Salvatrice Verillo and her husband Fred. Devoted grandmother to Gina Karlicki & husband Alex, Lisa Smith & husband Doug, Katie Glynn & husband Patrick, Anthony Giaconia & wife Jennifer, her namesake Anna Maria Niskach & husband Thomas, Bart C. Giaconia & wife Aimee, Joseph Giaconia & wife Colleen, John J. Giaconia, Ralph Danna III & wife Stephanie, Daniella Reiter, Keirstan Nevin & husband Brian, Laura South & her husband Gil, Sean Kennedy & wife JessieLyn, and Frederick Verillo. Adoring great grandmother to Patrick, Madeline, Ava, Benjamin, Alexis, Augustus, Ralph, Nathan, Gabriella, Randy, Joseph, Isabella, Richard Jr., Gianna, Luca, Emily, Riley, Lyric, Wyatt, Hudson and Emilia. Dedicated sister to Joseph Giordano and his wife Frances. She was predeceased by her son Salvatore and her siblings, Nunziata & husband Giuseppe, Josephine & husband Andre, Salvatrice & husband Paul & Concetta along with her sisters-in-law Josephine & husband Domenick and Maria Santa & husband Louis. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.

 Funeral from the Marrocco Memorial Chapel - 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton on Thursday at 9:15 am followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Paul RC Church in Clifton. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery. Visiting on Wednesday from 4 pm to 8 pm.