Anna Maria Greiner's Obituary
Anna Maria Greiner Obituary
Anna Maria Greiner (nee Bossi), 83, born May 21, 1941 in Naples, Italy, died peacefully on March 8, 2025, in Brecksville, Ohio.
Beloved wife of 58 years to the late Robert F. Greiner, who passed 15 days prior. Devoted mother to Jim Greiner and Andrea Castrovillari (Frank). Loving grandmother to Frankie Castrovillari and Maria Mackulin (Kenny) and dear aunt of many. Daughter of the late Vittorio and Maria Bossi. Preceded in death by her sisters, Bianca Prince, Rosa Geraci, Teresa Geraci and brother Ugo Bossi.
Anna Marie was born in Italy as the youngest of five children. After her father passed away when she was two years old, she spent her childhood in a boarding school run by nuns while her mother worked long hours to support the family.
In 1956, at age 15, she and her mother sailed to America to join her eldest sister's family in Parma, Ohio. Her other sisters emigrated too, and the four sisters remained close for the rest of their lives. With her great sense of humor, Anna Marie was known as the family comedian.
At 17, she met her future husband Bob while working at Stouffer's on the Square in Cleveland. They dated for eight years and were happily married for 58 years. Anna Marie was the best wife, mother and Nonna. She doted on her grandchildren, making Christmas ornaments every year with them and being there for the small and big moments of their lives.
She worked with developmentally disabled teens for 25 years as a teacher's assistant in Cuyahoga County. She taught life skills and brought joy and laughter to everything she did.
When her daughter was in 6th grade at St. Columbkille, Anna Marie spent weeks teaching the Tarantella dance to students to perform at Nationality Night.
A fabulous cook and baker, Anna Marie showered family and friends with love by making them elaborate meals and delicious desserts, including her famous mocha cake and cannoli. She baked birthday cakes for all of her family members and co-workers.
She loved shopping for clothes and food. She cultivated relationships with grocery workers in the produce, fish and meat departments, who would call her at home whenever there was a good shipment expected.
In 2014, she helped her daughter start a food blog by teaching her how to make beloved family recipes that were never documented. Millions of people have since visited the site, and many of Anna Marie's recipes, such as Pasta e Piselli, are enjoyed around the world.
In her free time, she loved attending the theater. She and her husband were season ticket holders to Playhouse Square for years, with front-row, center seats. The conductor would chat with them from the orchestra pit before every show.
She also was a fan of the soap opera General Hospital for decades and timed her daily power walks so she wouldn't miss it.
Anna Marie dedicated her life to helping others, and was disappointed in her later years when her health prevented her from doing as much as she would have wanted. Yet, she faithfully cared for her husband, who was 10 years older. She endured four years of dialysis and numerous surgeries so she could live as long as he was still on earth.
She entered hospice care the day after he passed away and died two weeks after he did. It's fitting that she passed on International Women's Day. She was an incredibly strong, resilient woman who now will spend eternity with her sweetheart and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville MD 20852.
A funeral mass for Anna Marie and her husband will take place at St. Columbkille Church on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
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