Anna J. Mione, 91, passed away at home in Fishkill on Friday, August 20, 2021.
She was born on November 6, 1929 in East Harlem, New York, the youngest of four children of Sicilian immigrants Giovanni Battista and Josephine Mione. She was a beloved mother and grandmother as well as a gifted musician and author.
In 1952, Anna graduated from Manhattan School of Music as a piano major with a master's degree in Music Education and was employed as a Music Teacher in the New York City Public Schools. On December 26, 1954, she married Ezio Flagello, a bass-baritone she met at the Manhattan School of Music and they moved to Italy after Ezio received a Fulbright scholarship.
After returning to New York in 1957, they resided in the Bronx where Anna continued to teach music and Ezio became a leading bass-baritone at the Metropolitan Opera House. She hosted many dinner parties and enjoyed attending operatic performances throughout the United States and Europe. They moved to Millwood in Westchester County in 1965 with their four children where Anna was employed as a music teacher by the Ossining Central School District. Anna and Ezio were divorced in 1983.
After retirement, she relocated to Dutchess County where she found a "retirement job" as a music teacher at St. John – St. Joachim School in Beacon and taught piano. She had a successful "second career" as an author. Anna wrote and published several books including "The Matriarch", "The Patriarch", and "The Diva". Anna became a sought-after presenter at events celebrating Italian-American history and culture.
Anna enjoyed travel to many countries including Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Brazil, and England. Her favorite travel spot was Sicily, where she visited her parents' birthplace and reconnected with cousins.
For many years, Anna was an active member of the Italian Club at Westchester Community College and the Red Hat Society. She participated in senior citizen events offered by Marist College, AllSport, and Fishkill Recreation Center. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Beacon as well as St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill.
At the age of 87, Anna was diagnosed with dementia. She received compassionate care at home from gifted caregivers until the time of her death.
Survivors include her children: Genoveffa Flagello, Josine Flagello, and Christine Flagello; daughter-in-law, Cindy Flagello; ten grandchildren: John & Cliff Flagello, Dmytro, Anastazia, & Nicolas Sienty, Kyle Petty, Sarah & Samantha Brittain, Gabriella & Dante Fekete; and three great-granddaughters: Evey, Charleigh, and Charlie Jane; as well as many other loving relatives & friends.
Anna was predeceased by her son, Dante Flagello.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Entombment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Manhattan School of Music, ATTN: Office of Advancement, 120 Claremont Avenue, New York, NY 10027 or by visiting www.msmnyc.edu/giving.
Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. For online tributes, you can visit Anna's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.