Anita Garone
1917 – 2013

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Anita (D'Orazio) Garone, 96, died Sunday in Heritage Hall Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Springfield she moved to West Springfield in 1972. Anita was a department manager for the former Albert Steiger's Department Store in Springfield for 20 years before retiring in 1962 and a longtime member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and the St. Thomas Senior Club. She also belonged to the Golden Agers of West Springfield, St. Ann's Women's Club, and the Immaculate Conception Women's Club. For many years Anita was a volunteer for the West Springfield Senior Center, served Thanksgiving Dinner for the Parish Association and helped with numerous other volunteer works. She also enjoyed singing for the Golden and Blue Ribbon Singing Clubs. She leaves two daughters Ann Bara and her husband Edward of West Springfield and Josephine Smith and her husband Greg of Agawam; five grandchildren Rosemary Cocchi and her husband Ralph, Edward Bara, Debbie Struck and her husband Craig, Kimberly Clemons and Jason Bara and his wife Carrie; eight great grandchildren Joseph and Nicholas Cocchi, EJ, Samantha and Melissa Bara, Nicole Struck and Nick and Samantha Clemons; two great great grandchildren Olivia and Hayden, and many loving brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends and acquaintances of the Senior Center, where she spent many wonderful moments. She was predeceased by her sister Filomena D'Angelo and brothers Peter, Nick, Anthony and Joseph. The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Wednesday at 8:00am with Liturgy in St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10:00am followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery. Visiting hours will prior to the funeral Wednesday from 8:00-9:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Rays of Hope, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut St., Spfld., MA 01199