Anna (Gallo) Perrone

Surrounded by the love of her family, Anna M. (Gallo) Perrone, 94, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt peacefully passed away at home Thursday, November 9th, 2023, after a brief period of declining health.   

Anna was born on August 21, 1929, one of ten children to Vincenzo and Anastasia (Tufano) Gallo.  Raised in Worcester, Anna married the “Love of her Life” Vincent J. Perrone, WW II war hero and Cosmetologist for more than seventy years, on August 28, 1953, at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church.  They spent the next 63 years dedicated to each other, and raised their family with faith, love, and happiness in the Grafton Hill neighborhood of Worcester, until Vinny left her side on May 19, 2016.  

As the matriarch, Anna’s number one priority was her family and she leaves behind her three children, sons, Lt Colonel Vincent John Perrone Jr, USAF, retired and his wife Debra Ann (Patnod) of Boylston, Doctor Anthony Paul Perrone, Ph.D., and his wife Lyndal (Gawen) of Albury, NSW, Australia and a daughter, Rosanne Perrone of Worcester.

 In addition, five grandchildren, Francesca Person and her husband John, Vincent III, Samuel, Lakota, Ricky Amoros and his partner Lynn as well as three great grandchildren Taylor Person, and Ellie and Wendy Amoros.  

Anna was the ninth of ten siblings who predeceased her, Santina “Sally” Verdolino, Philomena “Phyllis” Baily, Rose Filippone, Josephina “Josie” Rose, Paul Gallo, Mary Lefrancois, Natalina “Natie” Armendo, Carmen Gallo, Lucia “Lucy” Floran.  She also leaves behind a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

In her youth, Anna attended Elizabeth Street School and Commerce High. She took great pride in working in manufacturing during the war effort and loved working at the farmer’s market helping to feed the community and even on special occasions Anna assisted at her husband Vinny’s “Beauty Salons”.

Anna loved to read, cook, play cards and board games, watch T.V., especially General Hospital, Jeopardy, Chronicle, Wheel of Fortune and the old “Classic” movies. 

She was an amazing cook and at the beckoning of her family privately published a cookbook of her favorite recipes for them.  She impeccably maintained her home and was very involved with each and every one of her children and grandchildren’s activities and accomplishments and if that weren’t enough, she reached out to her children’s closest friends always making them feel welcomed and loved. She was nicknamed “Everyone’s Mom”.  

Anna was truly the epitome of what a human being should strive to be. She was filled with love, kindness, understanding and acceptance for everyone. She always looked for the good in others. 

She lived to love and help others and her family gave her so much joy and happiness. Words simply cannot express the loss that her family has felt and the hole that her passing has created in the fabric of their lives. Saying that she will be sorely missed is an understatement.

As a founding member of Our Lady of Loreto Church, Anna was a dedicated Catholic and supported the parish for over 65 years.  She passed on the core value of caring for others before self and was a beacon of kindness and consideration to countless friends and acquaintances.  Even though the world will be a lesser place without her, the legacy that she leaves behind is a lesson to us all.  She lived what she believed, practiced what she preached, and was the true embodiment of the phrase “First and foremost, be thoughtful”.   It is that aspect of selflessness which characterizes Anna more than anything else. Despite her many accomplishments, Anna was humble and modest, although it was a challenge for her to contain the incredible pride and joy that she felt every day for her family and all that they achieved during her lifetime.       

Anna’s celebration of Christian burial mass will be held Wednesday, November 15th at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Loreto/Mt Carmel Church, 37 Massasoit Rd. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.  There are no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Anna’s name to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605, the largest supportive services agency for veterans and their families who are at risk in New England, www.veteransinc.org/donations. 

The MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St is honored to assist the family once more with arrangements.