Obituary: Anna Adelaide Spera, 87, Of Danbury

Information and Photo Courtesy Cornell Memorial Home

DANBURY, CT — Anna Adelaide Spera of Danbury passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 11, 2024, after compassionate care from her children, loving home health aides (Nicole, Gabby, Friorella, Lissette, Jasmin, Marjorie, and Kim), along with Nuvance Palliative Home Care, Danbury VNA, and Regional Hospice in Danbury. She was born on Aug. 6, 1936, in Jamaica, Queens, NY, oldest daughter of Pietro and Maria Gentilini.

Anna is survived by her children, John (wife Mary), Anthony (wife Lori), Mary Ann (husband David), and Michael as well as her brother, Lawrence Gentilini; sister-in-laws, Jackie Gentilini, Concetta Toscano, Mary (Frank) DiNoto; and brother in-law, Robert Spagna. Anna is pre-deceased by her devoted husband of 65 years, Michael. Anna loved with all her heart and was always very proud of her grandchildren, Michelle Sandorse (husband Matt), Andrew Spera, Loren Spera, and Maria Strattner. Her great-granddaughter, Lainey Paige Sandorse, whose beautiful and happy face would bring Anna a big smile, is a blessing to all. Anna loved her cousins, godchildren, nieces, and nephews too. Anna will be missed by her dear friends, especially Jessica in New York and Helga in Connecticut. She is also predeceased by her oldest brother, Gino Gentilini; younger sister, Mary Olski (and her husband, Raymond Olski); sisters-in-law, Kristin Gentilini, Josephine Spagna; brothers-in-law, Vincent Spera, Louis Toscano; and niece, Patricia Pagonis.

Anna successfully graduated from Jamaica, NY schools. After working briefly as a telephone operator, she put all of herself into her hardest role — caregiver to her family. Anna worked tirelessly, supporting her late husband Michael and their four children. Anna’s happiest caregiver job was helping where she could for her grandchildren — Michelle, Andrew, Loren, and Maria. Moving from Long Island, NY, after 50 years to Danbury, where Anna at 70 and her late husband, Michael, at 76 years old, helped raise their granddaughter, Maria. Anna would proudly attend as many of her children's and then grandchildren's important events — soccer games, dance recitals, plays, and musicals. She was artistic, loving arts and crafts and passing that on to her grandchildren. Anna loved trips to Disney World and Italy with her husband and family.

Anna was a colon cancer survivor and was strong as she faced multiple health issues over the past three years. We want to especially thank nurses and staff who helped Anna very much including Nuvance Palliative Home Care, Regional Hospice in Danbury, Danbury VNA-nurses, PT, OT, and social workers, Fox Rehab OT and PT, Almost Family Home Care, and Synergy Home Care.

Anna’s wake will be on Tuesday, April 16, from 5-8 p.m. at Cornell Memorial Funeral Home on 247 White Street in Danbury, and her funeral mass on Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m. at Saint Gregory the Great Parish on 85 Great Plain Road in Danbury. Burial ceremony will be at The State Veterans Cemetery at 317 Bow Lane in Middletown at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Regional Hospice of CT in Danbury with info at or American Heart Association.