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Anna Ferri

July 26, 1913 — December 18, 2018

THE CASEY FAMILY IS HONORED TO BE ASSISTING AND CARING FOR THE FAMILY OF ANNA FERRI

WATERBURY, CT - Mrs. Anna "Ann" C. (Testa) (Teta) Ferri, age 105, of Waterbury, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Middlebury Convalescent Center surrounded by the love and comfort of her family after a brief illness. She was the widower of Captain Philip Teta, formerly of the Waterbury Police Department, and Louis Ferri.

Ann was born July 26, 1913 in Waterbury, CT, on the feast of St. Ann and was so named by her parents, the late Francesco and Maria Giovanna (Palmieri) Testa, who left Italy for the U.S. at the turn of the century. She was the baby of the family, youngest of four sisters and one brother. Her mother routinely took her to the Palace Theater to enjoy opera and vaudeville shows. When she was 13, she entered a talent contest there and won a trophy, which she treasures to this day, for dancing the Charleston and singing. About this same time, she left school to help support her family. Her first employment was at the "clock shop" in Waterbury, famous as the factory where the "Radium Girls" worked, many of whom developed cancer from painting watch dials. Fortunately, Ann was too young for this job and was assigned the task of winding watches.

At 17, she married a young man, Philip Teta, and left for a short honeymoon to Philadelphia and Atlantic City, only to find upon their return, that what little savings they had, was lost due to the depression. Anna spent 34 years at the "Rubber Shop" (later Uniroyal) in Naugatuck until her retirement at age 58. She loved gardening and the ritual of frequent family visits. She was a wonderful Italian cook and managed to have a hot meal on the table every day. She took a leave of absence from the "Rubber Shop" to care for her husband, until his passing in 1963 after 32 years of marriage, making her a widow at 49. She later married another fine man, Louis Ferri, and inherited five grown stepchildren. At 90 years old she once again was widowed after 30 years of marriage. She then lived with her daughter, until she was 100 years old. Ann has always enjoyed wonderful health and if you asked her "what is your secret?", she would say, "that's why they call it a secret."

Among her survivors are her son, Philip Teta of Louisville, KY. and her daughter, Mary Jane Teta of Middlebury. In addition, she leaves her stepchildren, Sandra Miles of Woodbury, Judy Daley of Idaho, Robert Ferri of Waterbury, Louis Ferri of Hudson, NY and Lisa Bellemare of Cheshire. She also leaves her grandchildren, Joe Joseph, Michael and Romiah Yamin, Ann Dilworth and Robert Teta, six step grandchildren as well as her 15 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her siblings; Rose Fappiano, Eva Mellilo, Lucy Pannone, Josephine LaCava, and Anthony Testa.

Ann's family would like to thank and gratefully acknowledge the caregivers at the Village at East Farms and Middlebury Convalescent Homefor all the loving care and support provided during her stay.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ferri will be held on Friday, December 21st 2018, when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 785 Highland Ave, Waterbury, CT 06708 at 9:30 a.m. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Watertown CT. Relatives and friends may visit with Ann's family on Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. till 7:00p.m. at Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home 1987 East Main St @Southmayd Rd. Waterbury, CT 06705. To honor Ann's memory, donations may be made to Carolyn's Place at 137 Grandview Ave Waterbury CT 06706. To extend online expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.eastsidememorial.com .
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