Anna J. Denardis

Anna J. DeNardis, 91, of New Castle passed peacefully on May 24th 2014. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Antonio DeNardis. She is survived by her two children, Attorney Antonio Daniel (Danny) DeNardis and Dr. Maria C. DeNardis, and their respective spouses Ann Ponichtera DeNardis and Robert D. Moss. She was the loving grandmother of Alexandra Elise DeNardis Moss, Corrin Anne DeNardis Moss, Stefanie Nicole DeNardis, and Julia Danielle DeNardis.

Annie, as she was known by her friends and family, was born on June 6, 1922 to Nicoletta Ialori Chiarini and Donato “Dan” Chiarini in New Castle, PA. She graduated from New Castle High School in 1940. As a young woman, she worked with the children at the Margaret Henry Home. She was a proud “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII, and she went on to work at the Johnson Bronze for over a decade. During that time, she bought the family’s first car and taught herself (as well as several of her friends and younger relatives) to drive. She was proud of her “rumbleseat” and liked to take her friends on outings.
She married Antonio DeNardis on May 6, 1953. She was a loving wife and mother whose home was always open to friends and family; neighborhood children stopped by regularly for dinner. Annie was known to have an ever-present supply of ginger ale and cookies (homemade pizzelles, or in a pinch, Stella D’Oros). She valued education and held “summer school” on her front porch during her children’s elementary years.

As the child of Italian immigrants during the Depression Era, Annie learned to be resourceful and enjoyed repairing and creatively recycling many household items. Annie was also an excellent cook, and she took pride in preparing meals for her family. She liked watching soap operas, Westerns, and Shirley Temple movies. Annie was a smart, compassionate woman with a cheeky wit. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Calling hours will be 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Tuesday May 27 at the William F. and Roger M. DeCarbo Funeral Home, 926 Cunningham Ave. A funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. for St. Vitus Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. The Rev. William Siple of St. Vitus Church will celebrate. Burial will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.