Lucia Anania

Lucia Rosalie (Macri) Anania, 90, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2020.

Lucia was born on March 21, 1930, to Fred and Rose (Bordenaro) Macri. She grew up on the south side of Des Moines and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948.

On January 20, 1951, she married Gasper Anania and together they raised four children.
Lucia was a devoted wife and mother and her greatest joy in life was her family.

She showed her love through cooking, never let anyone refuse a meal, and sent home an abundance of homemade care packages. Her manicotti and meatballs were a staple at every holiday meal and nobody made a better sandwich with fried peppers than she did. Most importantly, dessert was always on the menu. Lucia was as renowned for eating cookies as she was baking them.

She loved babies and children, shopping (and making Gasper wait, which, at times was calculated,) playing cards, dining out, live music and performances, and any social gathering.

Lucia was easily adored by others and had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. She modeled kindness, generosity, selflessness, and empathy, and had a remarkable quick wit and sassiness that would take you by surprise.

Lucia made a lasting impact on each and every one of us. Her goodness and light will be greatly missed.
Lucia was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and longtime member of the Alter and Rosary Society, Italian American Women of Iowa, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Left to cherish her memory are children Lucia (Pete) Hale, Angelo (Kaye) Anania, and Andrea; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; 2 great, great grandchildren and another on the way as well as a host of nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gasper; daughter, Rosalyn (DeDe); grandson, Tony; parents; and siblings, Mary Ferin, Marguerite Leonetti, and Frank Macri.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church or Hospice of the Midwest.

Since public gatherings are limited to 10 people, Lucia’s funeral at St. Anthony Church will be livestreamed (https://venue.streamspot.com/70f5b857) on Monday, April 20, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Glendale Cemetery. A celebration of life with others will take place at a later date.

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