Anne B. Della Sala

 

On the evening of December 22, 2016 Anne Della Sala, co-founder of Della Sala’s Pizza in Penn Hills, Died Peacefully just three weeks shy of her 93rd birthday.

Anne was born to Antonio Butch (Bucci) and Giacinta (Sciulli) Butch in Warren, Ohio on January 11, 1924. She Graduated from Warren G. Harding High School and worked in Warren for six years as a secretary, first for Grinell Corporation and later for General Motors.

Anne Married in 1948 and moved to the Oakland Section of Pittsburgh with her husband, Augustine Della Sala. The couple had three children, and in 1955, they moved to the suburb of Penn Hills. At the time Augie was driving a bread truck for Nabisco and Anne was Selling Avon products.

In October of 1959, Anne and Augie opened a Pizza Shop on Verona Road. For over 30 years the couple worked in their shop, intent on serving the community with the best product they could produce. The proof of their success is that the business still operates successfully 57 years after its founding.

Anne was a member of St. Joseph Church in Verona. After her retirement in 1991, she was deeply involved in church activities. A member of both the Christ Child Society and the ladies of charity, up until her 90th birthday, Anne volunteered at Seneca Place in Penn Hills to lead the rosary for elderly residents.

In addition to her parents, Anne was preceded in death by her husband Augustine, and six siblings: Sabbia (Lucille), Vincent (Jimmy), Elodia (Dia), Mary, Albert and Anthony, Jr.

She is survived by her three children: Thomas (Cheryl) of Schenectady, NY: Anthony (Beth) of Plum, and Connie Matthews of Penn Hills; she also leaves behind eight grandchildren (Joe, Kristy, Anina, Adam, Augie, Kaytrin, Anthony, and Angela) and five great-grandchildren (Adriana, Alyssa, Bella, Aria and Lucca).

Anne was loved and revered by every member of her family and just about everyone else that knew her. She had countless friends. It probably says more about her, though, that she didn’t have a single enemy.

Anne was a tireless worker, incredibly generous, a tremendous wife, mother and grandmother (Nana) for the ages. Above all else, she was a good catholic girl, right to her core for all 92+ years of her life. It is for these qualities that she will be remembered. And these qualities, the essence of who she was, explain why she will be so sorely missed.

Friends received in the William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road) Penn Hills on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 and Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Prayers Friday December 30, 2016 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 825 Second Street, Verona, PA 15147. For those from Schenectady, NY, Contributions may be made to the SLOC Capital Campaign Fund, 427 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305