Ann Rita Talerico Pantusa, known affectionately to her family and friends as "Annie", was born on August 11, 1930 and entered eternal rest on May 6, 2023 in San Antonio, TX at the age of 92. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Annie was educated by the Sisters of the Divine Providence having attended St. Joseph's Academy from grade 1- 12.

Annie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Like many women of her generation, she did not have a choice in her professional career as a homemaker. She often told people that she worked full-time but did not get paid. She was a force to be reckoned with as the youngest of nine children: headstrong and opinionated, yet compassionate and caring. During her school years she excelled in mathematics and as an orator. She was a talented cook and especially loved preparing Italian food for her family and friends. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, organizing family events and celebrations, playing the slot machines at the casinos, and watching Wheel of Fortune. For decades, her Mondays were held sacred as the day she played poker with her ladies' group.

She was a devoted partner to her husband working with him on his seemingly endless projects. Together they built the three homes they lived in and two cabins. This led her to master the art of roofing, mixing concrete, painting, wallpapering and tile setting. She was also the backbone behind multiple side businesses the two of them ran over the years. She was proud to be a second generation Italian and a lifelong member of San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church where she was baptized, married, and buried. She was a member of the San Francesco di Paola Altar and Rosary Society and the Christopher Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteering at the Spaghetti Dinners, especially rolling meatballs and making and selling desserts. As her health declined and being a constant pillar of faith, she turned to prayer to fill her days having a special devotion to St. Jude and St. Padre Pio.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John Pantusa, Sr. her father and mother, Vito and Assunta (Barbieri) Talerico; sisters, Ernestine Talerico and Mary San Marco; brothers, Ernest, Pete, Steve, Louie, and Joe Talerico.

She is survived by her son, Sam Pantusa, and wife Vicky; daughter, Julie Ann Pantusa; son John (Jay) Pantusa, Jr. and spouse Paul Mack, grandsons and granddaughters; Charles Edward Pantusa, Christy Granata-Pantusa, Richard Clay Pantusa and Robin Milligan-Pantusa; great-granddaughters, Aubrey and Lauren Pantusa; great-grandsons, Andrew, Nathan, and Hunter Pantusa; sister, Rose Alfano; sister-in-law, Dorene Talerico as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Friday, May 12, 2023

Funeral Services will begin with a visitation at 9:00 A.M. at San Francesco di Paola Catholic Church, 205 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX. The Rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. followed by Mass of the Resurrection. Burial will be at San Fernando Archdiocesan Cemetery No. 2.

A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately after the burial in the Renaissance Room at Piazza Italia, 201 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX.

Pallbearers will be Sam Alfano, Jr., Bjoern Landeck, Charles E. Pantusa, Marc San Marco, Paul Scrivano and Noah Talerico.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ray Leal, Dan Marusa, Tony Magaro, Pete Scrivano, Erik Sumpter, Pete Talerico and Vito Talerico.

Other Honorees will be her nieces whom she both admired and inspired: Elizabeth San Marco, Barbara Talerico-Caughey, Cheryl Talerico, Gerrianne Talerico-Nazer, Nancy Rose Talerico-Jenkins, Teresa Talerico, Melissa Talerico-Stolow, Shirley Alfano, Vivian Alfano-Gansmann, Veronica Talerico-Gabele, Betty Pisano, Pat Scrivano, Judy Salek-Guerra, Marilyn Salek-Marusa and Anna Marie Engels-Duterroil.

Although her light dimmed in the last several years of her life, she was a memorable character who enjoyed being around family and friends making them laugh and ensuring everyone had enough to eat.

The family would like express its sincerest gratitude to Hetta Adkins DNP-ACNP and her staff for her medical care and Aida Canales for her service over the past several years. Special thanks to the staff of Methodist Hospital 6 ^th floor-Central and 2 ^nd floor South ICU, and to the staff of Vitas Hospice for their excellent care and compassion shown to Annie and her family during the past few weeks.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Memorial contributions may be made to the

Lions Sight Research Foundation, 4502 Centerview Dr., Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78229,

T he Christopher Columbus Italian Society "Building Fund", 201 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX 78207

or to the charity of your choice.