Obituary of Anna M. Altavilla

Anna M. Grasselli Altavilla, age 85, beloved wife of John S. Altavilla, Sr. of Trumbull, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Bridgeport on March 13, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Pasqualina Petrella Grasselli. When Anna was 17, she went to work for Seaside Blouse Company in Bridgeport and it was there that she met John Altavilla, who would turn out to be the love of her life. They were married seven years later and after beginning their marriage on the second floor of a two-family house on Edna Avenue in Bridgeport, they built a home for themselves and their two young children in Trumbull. While her husband built a career for himself in the garage business, Anna worked to build a home. She loved her house; loved decorating it with hand-made crafts and anything else with a holiday theme she could get her hands on, come Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmastime. She had many long-lasting friendships with her neighbors that brought great joy to her life. She even learned to bowl, once scoring a 200 game that she was particularly proud of. But nothing made her happier than her grandchildren, Jen and Chris, and there was no limit to the love and generosity that their "Nonni" showered on both of them as they grew up. They couldn't have asked for a more devoted grandmother. In addition to her husband John of 61 years, survivors include a son, John S. Altavilla, Jr. and his wife Marilyn of Branford, a daughter, Patricia Altavilla of Trumbull, a sister, Shirley Maseto of Shelton and two cherished grandchildren, Jennifer and Christopher as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will take place on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 11:00 a.m. in St. Margaret Shrine, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may greet the family on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.