PAGANO CALZA, ANNE REGINA

Anne Regina Pagano Calza was born in Detroit in 1918 to Italian immigrant parents. She was the oldest of nine children and lived for 100 years, one month and four days. She grew up in the Annex area of New Haven, a poor Italian enclave with trolley cars where an Italian bread was 5 cents a loaf. Mom laughed saying every family in the Annex had a garden and a junkyard.

A motivated and smart girl who loved books and would hide her glasses under her mattress so she could read at night. Anne was often embarrassed as her wire rim glasses were always bent and crooked. Her dream to be a librarian was financially impossible. She had to quit high school and work to help support her large family. However, she returned and graduated in her class with honors.

After High School she worked in a shirt shop in New Haven and met her future husband, Roger Dante’ Calza on a blind date arranged by her sister Viola. Roger and Anne married in 1940. She wore a pink suit and he borrowed a car and was late to the wedding because he had a flat tire. Her best friend Pips Salvati and his best friend Vige Viarengo were witnesses. Roger and Anne were married for 57 years until his death in 1996. Anne was Roger’s main support as he started his Wallingford business, The Calza Machine Shop. She would sit with him for hours, keeping him company as they worked together to build their future.

They raised 4 children, Beverly (Boots), Barbara, Roger and Susan. In addition, Anne volunteered as a brownie leader, Sunday school teacher, in the Masonic Home Library and her son-in-laws’ antique shop and the Senior Center Knit and Crochet Club. She also worked many years at the New York Bakery and the Home Meat Center. Anne created unique Afghans, braided rugs, Halloween costumes and doll pajamas. She repaired teddy bear paws for grandson Michael, made matching robes for her granddaughters Dante’ and Gina, she crocheted tiny afghans for granddaughter Liz’s cat, and sang silly Italian songs to grandson Gabriel. As a frequent visitor to her beloved western granddaughters Gina, Laura, Paula and Olivia, she brought her Italian food, special Afghans, dolls and kisses. She was a wonderful Aunt, with her house often filled with nephews and nieces. Anne was a very good friend to so many who continued to visit her throughout the decades. She is survived by her children Beverly Calza, Barbara Calza Self, Roger Calza and Susan Calza. Daughter-in law Stella Calza, sons-in-law George Mellor, R. Craig Self (recently deceased) and Mark Horowitz. Grandchildren, Michael McGuire, Dante Bartolomeo, Elizabeth C. Self, Gabriel Dante Calza Everett, Gina Raebel, Laura Calza, Paula Calza and Olivia Calza. As well as their spouses Maja McGuire, Douglas Bartolomeo, Mark Raebel and Oly Peterson. Also great grand children, Morgan, Madeleine, Michael III, Marc, Riley, Cameron, Gwendolyn, Merewyn and Eleanor. And her special “blonde daughter” Patty Bear. She will be missed. Please join us for a celebration of her life, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 2:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 65 No. Main St, Wallingford. And for tea, tidbits and Italian cookies (because Nonny loved them!) across from the church at the Library Restaurant. For online condolence visit: www.wallingfordfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492.