Anna M Todeschini

ANNA (GADOTTI) TODESCHINI On October 16, 2017, Anna Gadotti Todeschini, 102 years old, of Coraopolis died peacefully at home with her son at her side. She was the beloved wife of the late Louis V. Todeschini; loving mother of Deanna and Eugene. She had two grandchildren; a nephew, Allen in Coraopolis; and several nieces and nephews residing in Italy. She was the sister-in-law of the late Abie and Elda Todeschini; and was a friend to her neighbors including but not limited to Pearl "Dutch" College, Flo Gould, Sophie Kness, Olive Grice, Mrs. Eberle, Mrs. Gregorich, Mrs. Householder and Betty Tesla.

She was born Anna Gadotti on February 27, 1915 in the Trentino region of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire which later became Italy after the first World War which ended in 1918. Her father, Giovanni Gadotti operated the local Casa Rurale (Bank) located in her home in Civezzano, Italy. Her mother, Maria Sandri is the daughter of Lorenzo Sandri who started the still-operating Alimentari Sandri in 1855 in the Val di Non (Revo). She was the sister of Ida Sicher and Luigi 'Gigino' Gadotti and Giovanni Gadotti.

Anna was an accomplished academic who became a teacher. While teaching in Costello Condino (Italy) Anna was introduced to her WWII US Army Veteran husband, Louis in 1947 who decided to go visit his parents, who lived in the town where Anna was teaching. Anna married Louis on October 25, 1947 and in April of 1948 the army veteran returned to the States with his new wife, Anna, carrying her son, Eugene, born several months later.

Anna never returned to her teaching profession after she came to the States, however, she was a devoted wife and mother who will be remembered as a kind, considerate and compassionate person who had two favorite pastimes aside from friends and family. She was both an accomplished knitter and seamstress, skills she had learned in Europe. Her son, Eugene, recalls many a sweater that she meticulously knitted for him and when her daughter, Deanna, who was born in 1954, matriculated in West Virginia University. Anna made her well attired daughter a total of 26 slacks, all made by hand. Many kids in the neighborhood were recipients of knitted socks and sweaters made by her meticulous hand.

Her daughter, Deanna passed in 2010, however the memory of Anna will always be in the heart of her son, Eugene, who provided her with shelter, direct care and comfort over the last two years, as well as in the heart of all the young kids in the neighborhood who regarded her as their favorite babysitter/mentor who always knitted something for them. Mom, God Bless You, and I remain, as your grateful Son, the luckiest son on the face of this earth, just for being your Son, Eugene.

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Oct. 20, 2017