Annamarie Racanello

Today we celebrate the life of Annamarie Racanello, cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, who passed away on December 29, 2022, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her beloved family--her husband, Carl Racanello, and their two children, Amy and Joseph. Annamarie was born on May 24, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, and she grew up in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn. For the past 41 years, she made her home on Staten Island with her husband Carl. For 47 years, Annamarie and Carl were inseparable as they raised their close-knit family and later became the doting grandparents of two sweet and affectionate granddaughters, Eloise and Josephine DiDonna. Annamarie was devoted to her family and selfless in her willingness to support and guide them. Annamarie had an open and loving heart and home. As anyone fortunate enough to know her could attest, she was welcoming and overwhelmingly generous to family, friends, and strangers alike. Annamarie's compassion and frankness, whether during a late-night chat in her kitchen, out to dinner, or on vacation, led her to collect many ''adopted children.'' When members of this wide-reaching extended family needed a nonjudgmental and trustworthy counselor, it was Annamarie they called. Annamarie was also a passionate artist and lifelong learner. Her commitment to education prompted her as an adult learner to complete college courses in subjects as diverse as sign language, environmental science, and the history of fashion. In addition, she eagerly read anything and everything within reach and on an array of subjects. She had an infinite capacity to strike up animated conversations with anyone, who shared her love of knowledge--and plenty of sarcasm. With intelligence, wit, open-mindedness, and plenty of wine, Annamarie presided over countless late-night, kitchen-table debates. Annamarie's family is holding a memorial on January 4, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1100 South Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. All are welcome. Since Annamarie was allergic to flowers, with a few minor exceptions, she despised them. In lieu of flowers, in honor of Annamarie's love for and devotion to her granddaughters, as well as her commitment to learning and discovery, the family requests donations be made to Notre Dame Academy Elementary School. Please make the donations in Annamarie's name, Attention Office of the President- Katherine Jaenicke.

Annamarie Racanello

May 24, 1954 - December 29, 2022