Cover photo for Anne Garzilli's Obituary
1925 Anne 2021

Anne Garzilli

November 5, 1925 — November 17, 2021

White Plains

Anne Garzilli, of Boynton Beach, Florida died peacefully at her home on November 17, 2021. She had recently reached the age of 96.

Anne was born Angelina Petecca, in Bronx, New York, on November 5, 1925. She was the oldest of four daughters of Josephine (Pisaniello) Petecca and Silvio Generoso Petecca. Anne was educated in public schools in New York City. and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1942 at the age of sixteen. After graduation, she worked in the Empire State Building as a secretary.

Anne met and fell in love with, and married Nicholas (Nunzio) Garzilli. They dated for over three years and were married on August 4, 1945. After honeymooning in the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York, they returned home to a ticker-tape parade celebrating the end of World War II. It felt as if, to them, their marriage was also being celebrated.

In the Bronx, Anne and Nick raised three children--Marie, Richard, and Laura. After Anne and Nick had saved enough money, they bought their first house in the Country Club Section of the Bronx, within walking distance to Pelham Bay Park and Eastchester Bay, an idyllic area to raise a family.

After their children were old enough to attend school all day, Anne worked part-time in various jobs. She worked weekends as a real estate agent, and as a comparison shopper for Macy’s Department Store during the week. She was also very proud to serve as a census taker for the United States Government in 1960.

In 1962 Anne, Nick, and their three adolescents moved to Puerto Rico. Anne and Nick were to live on the island for over 18 years. While there, Anne became very active in several charitable organizations, including the US Navy League, Circulo-Italo Americano de Puerto Rico, and the Humane Society of Puerto Rico. The family made a great many friends in Puerto Rico, forming what virtually became a big extended family.

In the late 1960s, after becoming empty nesters, Anne and Nick became world travelers, touring several countries in Europe; island hopping in the Caribbean; and exploring the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. They also enjoyed trips to Tunisia, Canada, and Argentina.

In 1980 Anne and Nick moved to Miami, Florida, where she worked as a real estate agent, becoming a member of the “Millionaire Club” when her sales reached a million dollars. She also became a docent at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Miami, where she met, among other people, Jim Hensen, during a Muppet exhibit.

Anne was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading suspense novels. In addition, when time allowed, she often joined Nick and other friends and family members in playing a game or two of golf. In addition, Anne loved to play cards and have gatherings with her friends and family. She tended to her plants and pets with loving care. Anne and Nick’s most recent pet, Sandy, found his way to their home and became their most faithful companion after they had moved to Florida and thought they were “done with pets.” In 1992, Sandy was by their side during Hurricane Andrew when Anne and Nick returned home to secure the house. As the eye of the Hurricane passed over them, their courage and persistence saved the house.

In 1995 Anne and Nick moved a little further north of Miami to be closer to family, and to be a little safer from hurricanes. That’s when they moved into their last home in Boynton Beach, Florida, where they continued to make new friends, party, and enjoy their lives together.

Anne was predeceased by her sister Joanna, who died as a toddler; her parents; her husband; her sister-in-law, Irene Carboni, her brother-in-law, Michael Garzilli as well as a many other relatives, in-laws, and dear friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Marie-Elena Garzilli; her son and daughter-in-law, Richard Garzilli and his wife, Jane Becker Garzilli; her daughter and son-in-law, Laura Ann Garzilli Bracken and her husband, Peter Bracken; her sisters, Jean Williams, and Dora O’Brien; and her sister-in-law, Teresa Garzilli. She is also survived by her five grandchildren Gwendolyn Bracken, Jesse Lee Bracken, Nicholas Garzilli, Matthew Garzilli, and David Bracken; and by her four great-grandchildren: Corinthian McLean, Amber McLean, Sequoia Helaku, and Dominick Garzilli. In addition, she is survived by a dozen nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and dear friends.

A late-morning service was held at the Ballard-Durand Funeral Home of Westchester, who were in charge of the arrangements, on November 22nd, 2013, followed by entombment in the Shrine of Memories, a mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery . In attendance were her daughters and son-in-law, two of her grandchildren, her sister Jean, nieces and nephews, and their many relatives and some friends. Father Christopher Monturo from St. Anthony of Padua Church in Harrison, New York was the officiating priest. In addition, family and friends from all over the country watched the service on Livestream .

Family or friends of Anne can remember her with love in their hearts and minds. If desired, donations can be made in her name to the charity of your choice. You may want to consider donating to two of the organizations for which Anne volunteered during her lifetime: The Humane Society of Puerto Rico and the Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami (MOCA) .

To donate to the Humane Society (hspr.org) , people can donate through PayPal at info@hspr.org, or directly to Banco Popular de PR account #246-000189. Alternatively, they can send a check to The Humane Society of PR, PO Box 2386, Guaynabo PR, 00970.

To donate to MOCA , please visit their website (mocanomi.org) and follow the directions for “support.”

To send flowers to the family in memory of Anne Garzilli, please visit our flower store.

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Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services (White Plains)

2 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

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