Anna Curreri Auditore

Just five days beyond her 92nd birthday, Anna Curreri Auditore passed away on Tuesday, July, 28, 2015 after a long and happy life. Anna was born in 1923 in Manhattan, NY. Although she suffered the deprivations of the Great Depression as a young child, she grew up to be a very kind, caring and generous person. Anna was the youngest of 7 children born to Pasquale and Louisa (Arena) Ruotolo.

Anna spent most of her younger years in Brooklyn, NY where she met and married the love of her life, Vinnie (Melchior) Curreri on April 30, 1944. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage until Vinnie's passing in 1982.

After several years of living as a widow, she married her second husband, Tom Auditore in New York. Tom Auditore passed away in 1997, leaving Anna on her own once again. Anna was a brave woman however and in 2003, at the age of 80, after battling breast cancer, she left her New York roots and moved from Long Island, NY to Down East Maine to be closer to family.

She was known by many throughout the community here in Maine because, once she came here, she grabbed life by the horns and volunteered her time widely. For several years she read to kids in the library at Pembroke Elementary School. She crocheted hats for infants for DECH. She was also a Senior Companion until, at age 90, she finally had to give up driving herself all over Washington County to visit "her friends".

She loved her family above all else. Her adventures took her on trips with her son Steven and his family and visits to her life long friend of 71 years, Lucille Neal in Washington State. She went sailing (a first for her) with Tom and Barbara and Chloe around Cobscook Bay. Anna was thrilled to attend her grand daughter, Arianna's wedding and her grand daughter Chloe's college graduation. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Barnett and husband Tom of Dennysville, her son Stephen Curreri and wife Nancy of Birmingham, AL, and her granddaughters Chloe Barnett, Arianna Bastion, Lara Curreri, her step daughter, Carmella Grieco of Fla., her loving god daughter, Gloria Krams of NY, and her many nieces and nephews, wonderful neighbors, and dear friends scattered throughout the U.S.

As most of her friends would good-naturedly agree, one of Anna’s favorite pastimes was cheating at cards. She always claimed it was OK because, as she would say, "After all, I'm a Grand Mother".

To those we have not mentioned, you know she loved you and always enjoyed spending time with you. You were all so kind to her and made her feel so welcomed when she moved to Maine.

Our Mom and Nana was someone who inspired others to live with joy and laughter and love. Her bright spirit lives on in so many hearts. She will be sorely missed.

A Celebration Party in honor of Anna will be graciously hosted at Rhoda and Brian's, 535 Shore Road in Perry on Sunday, September 6th. Please join us - from 3:00 on. For more information call Barbara Barnett - 726-5151. She will be interred with her first husband, Vinnie (Melchior) Curreri at Calverton National Cemetery in New York.

Donations in Anna’s memory may be made to Down East Hospice Volunteers, 24 Hospital Lane, Calais, ME 04619. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.