Anna Carmela Coleman's Obituary
Anna Carmela Coleman let go of her body, freeing her spirit on March 8, 2014, at 7:26 p.m. in Tucson AZ. She was born on November 12, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio to Vincenzo and Grace (Volpi) Piscitelli, their eldest and favorite surviving child. They precede her in death, along with her older brother, her twin, and a younger sister, Joanne. Also preceding her in death is her beloved, kind and gentle husband, James C. Coleman, and endeared granddaughter, Vicki. Anna is survived by her five children, Beth Montgomery (Mayview, MO), Dan Coleman (Warrensburg, MO), Alexis Grae (Tucson, AZ), Gina Graham (Moberly, MO) and Marejo Johnson (Tacoma, WA); her grandchildren, from Beth, Scott Briggs and Michael Allrutz; from Dan, Meredith Dhillon and Daniel Coleman; from Alexis, Carmen Fletcher; from Gina, Chris Graham and Tia Graham; from Marejo, Ian Brostrom and Kevin Dave. She has 13 great grandchildren, Eddie, Vincent, Sarah, Jessica, Angela, Rebecca, Lydia, Marcos, Alexis, Kristen, Caleb, Damian and Justin; and two great-great grandchildren, Zoe and Abigale. All very loved by their Nana, Anna. Her husband's brothers provided her with many, many nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, all who loved her and was loved by her in return. The Coleman side of the family have remained in regular contact, not forgetting their beloved Aunt Annie. Anna graduated from high school at age 15 and attended a finishing school in Columbus. She met her husband Jim while he was in the military, they married, and moved from Columbus in 1953, lived in Kansas until moving to Missouri in 1967. They returned to Columbus in 1987 to care for Grandma Grace. Anna remained with her mother after her husband died in 1995 until finally relocating to live with Alexis in Tucson, AZ in 2003. Anna worked various jobs throughout her life time, most significantly and proudly as a clerk at a local police station in MO; and as an assistant librarian in OH. She was diligent in researching family history, from both her and her husband's side of the family. She has provided a nice genealogical history for her children and extended offspring. In 1959 Anna was hit head on by a DUI driving a cement mixer on the freeway. She was not expected to live and defied all medical opinions. She had to learn to do everything all over again. They said she would never walk again, she not only walked but drove a vehicle, went to work, and raised her children. She lived for 55 years in a broken body, yet her spirit remained strong. She has been an incredible role model for tenacity, hard work, and perseverance in the faces of adversity and multiple life challenges all at once. It made it quite difficult to complain when life did not work out the way we wanted it to. She was very sociable and made fast friends wherever she went. She was sensitive and kind, generous, gracious, and had an uproarious sense of humor. She often stated how proud of her children's successes she was, and how much she loved them. Anna was a devout Catholic all her life and an active member of the church. In Tucson she attended Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and was loved and respected by all who knew her. Her body finally broke down completely, but her mind remained sharp and clear to the very end. It has been this writers honor to have her for my mother. She has given me far more than I ever gave her. She will be missed deeply. Chapel service 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Evergreen Mortuary Chapel, N. Oracle & W. Miracle MIle. Burial will take place in Winchester, Ohio. In lieu of flowers Mass may be offered to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2533 W. Myrtle Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051.
What’s your fondest memory of Anna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Anna?
Share a story where Anna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Anna you’ll never forget.
How did Anna make you smile?