Anne M. (Lamattina) Pignata

     Anne M. “Anna” Pignata, 88, of Lakewood, N.J., passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, July 25, 2015, at Community Medical Center, Toms River, N.J.  Born Anna Lamattina in Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, she also resided in St. George, and Dongan Hills before retiring to The Four Seasons, Lakewood, in 1997.

     A 1945 graduate of McKee Vocational High School, Anne was a basketball team cheerleader, and played the glockenspiel in the marching band.  Professionally, Anne was a comptometer operator for Foster Wheeler Company, and a secretary at The United Fruit Company.  She also held a real estate agent’s license and worked for Bill Gorman Realty, Staten Island.

     Anne had a “green thumb” and enjoyed raising flowers and vegetables.  At the age of 12, she won the New York Botanical Gardens’ prize for her victory garden.  She was also an excellent cook and seamstress.  A lifelong sports fan, Anne enjoyed rooting for the N.Y. Mets, after her beloved Brooklyn Dodgers moved to the West Coast, and she closely followed all the Pro-tennis players, never missing a match or tournament.

Although she traveled extensively throughout the U.S., Italy, Switzerland, California, and Las Vegas, she was always happiest on her excursions to Atlantic City with her family and friends from Staten Island and The Four Seasons.

     She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Frank, in 2011; her parents, Lorenzo and Mariana Lamattina; brothers Anthony, Rossi, and Victor; sister, Margaret, and several nieces and nephews.

     Surviving her are daughters Janice Agnello and her husband Richard of Matawan,  Barbara Bryant and her husband Richard of Hazlet; two grandsons, Daniel Agnello and Richard Bryant, Jr.;   sister, Mary Canlon , and sister-in-law, Clare Vitale, both of Staten Island; her extended family ; and many dear friends.

     There will be no viewing, in keeping with her wishes.  A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph R.C. Church, Keyport, N.J. on Wednesday July 29th, 2015 at 10:30AM/ Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Anne’s memory may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10305-1425, or one of the Parkinson Disease research foundations.