Anne Marie Mazzella

November 22, 1922 - May 14, 2023

SAN DIEGO — Anne Marie Mazzella passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day May 14, 2023, with family at her bedside. She was born over 100 years ago, on November 22, 1922, to Jennie and Donato (Dan) Ferrara on Staten Island, New York City. Anne had one younger brother, Anthony, nicknamed Sonny.

She first met her future husband, Peter Mazzella, in church during a family wedding. However, they had to wait to get married since Peter was being deployed during World War II to an island called Iwo Jima. Anne and Peter were married on August 31, 1947. They remained married for over 60 years until Peter passed away in 2008 from Parkinson’s disease. Their marriage and relationship was so destined to be that they saved what they called the “kissing gate.” Their first kiss happened when Peter leaned over the front gate at Anne’s home.

When they moved from Staten Island to San Diego in 1995, they brought the kissing gate with them.

Anne graduated from grammar school with the highest Honors. She graduated from Curtis High School in 1940 and was on the Honor Roll during every term she was in High School. After her three sons left the house and got married, she went back to school to be with her husband Peter, who was a college chemistry professor and head of the chemistry department at the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Anne earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1987, again with the highest Honors; at the age of 65, Anne always promoted the family community. Back in the day, every Christmas, she would help her mother, Jennie prepare homemade ravioli from scratch. When she moved to San Diego in 1995, she and Peter bought a home across the street from her three grandsons, Matthew, Joseph, and Paul. When the grandsons became of age, she reinstated the Christmas family tradition by teaching all three of them how to make homemade ravioli from scratch. It has and remains a Christmas family tradition.

Anne was always a loving daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She so influenced the family that two of her granddaughters and one great-granddaughter were named after her.

They are called the Sam’s Club since they all have the same initials Sarah Anne, Sophia Anne, and Sienna Anne Mazzella.

Anne was always a giving person. She served as a volunteer her whole life. During World War II, she was recognized for her volunteer service by the Marine Hospital, where she also worked full-time. In 1987 she was recognized for her volunteer service to youth by her college, the City University of New York.

When her three sons were young, she volunteered to be their Den Mother for the Cub Scouts for about 10 years.

Anne was an active artist her whole life. She painted everything from family portraits to landscapes.

When she moved to San Diego, she painted a 40-foot mural on her backyard wall. She kept adding to the mural all the way into her late 90s. The mural was like an ongoing historical fairy tale narrative, including everything from the Spirit of St. Louis plane flown by Lindbergh to Mary Poppins afloat with her umbrella.

Anne is survived by her six grandchildren: Peter Mazzella III (Nicole), Sarah Weber (Erik), Matthew Mazzella (Lauren), Joseph Mazzella (Clare), Paul Mazzella (Taylor), and Sophia Mazzella. There are also six greatgrandchildren Celine Mazzella, Kelvin Weber, Leo Mazzella, Sienna Mazzella, Shea Mazzella, and Madison Mazzella. A 7th great-grandchild, Ava, is on the way and is expected to arrive this July. Anne also knitted relentlessly for the entire family, including full blankets and even a baby blanket for her expected great-granddaughter Ava.

Anne is also survived by her three sons Peter Mazzella Jr. (Beth), Neil Mazzella (Machiko), and Daniel Mazzella (Peggy).

Anne’s generous love has created loving memories for which the entire family is forever grateful and will always remember. Anne was always there for the family to help in any way possible. She may be gone now but she will always be in our hearts.

God only knows what we would be without her. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com