Anna Dibiase

Anna (Ferrara) DiBiase, 83, South Heidelberg Township, died Nov. 2, 2008, in ManorCare Health Services, Spring Township, where she had resided since April 2008. Anna was the widow of Mario DiBiase, who passed away Jan. 17, 2007.

Born Dec. 31, 1924, in Palena, Chieti, Italy, Anna was the fifth and youngest daughter of the late Raffaele Ferrara and Angela Giuseppina Isacco.

In 1969, Anna arrived in the United States with her two sons and husband, full of many hopes and dreams for a better life. One of her proudest days was the one whereby she could call herself an American citizen.

Anna was employed as a sewing machine operator by Penn-Dale Knitting Mills from 1969 until their closing, then by H. Oritsky until retirement.

Mom was a master seamstress, having the gift and love for sewing and tailoring. She also enjoyed gardening, canning her fruits and vegetables, cooking and baking.

She treasured the time spent with her family, especially the grandchildren. She lived her life simply, taught us not to be wasteful and was highly appreciative of even the smallest of things.

Anna is survived by two sons, Falco F., husband of Maria (Gentile) DiBiase, South Heidelberg Township, and Raffaele, husband of Catharine S. (Donovan) DiBiase, Wernersville; and a stepson, Nino, husband of Elisa (D'Angelo) DiBiase, Milan, Italy.

Other survivors include her grandchildren: Annamaria DiBiase Dolinsky, wife of Matthew Dolinsky; Gina DiBiase Knorr, wife of Todd Knorr; Melissa DiBiase, Samantha DiBiase, Diana DiBiase and Michele DiBiase; her stepgrandchildren, Mario DiBiase and Maria Teresa DiBiase, Milan, Italy; her great-grandchildren: Matthew Dolinsky, John Paul Dolinsky and Joseph Dolinsky; and her stepgreat-grandchildren, Elvira DiBiase and Davide DiBiase, Milan, Italy.

There also is a sister, Adelia, Melbourne, Australia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call one hour prior to the Mass in the church.

Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the St. Ignatius Loyola Church Memorial Fund. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneral home.com.