Obituary of Anna Righetti

On Friday, January 27, 2012, Anna Righetti, at the age of 95, passed away peacefully in her home and, at last, joined her beloved husband Henry, who had preceded her in death in 2001. Aminad (Anna) Esanyetzt was born aboard her family's ship on the Black Sea, to Mary (Bebenko) and Ramasan Esanyetzt. Her mother died in childbirth, and Anna was raised in Turkey with her father. When she was 10, Anna and her father traveled to Russia where her father tragically lost his life and left her orphaned in a strange country. It was there she received an education, specializing in agronomy, although her first love was medicine and she would have preferred becoming a physician. Life was very hard in Russia and in her early 20's she escaped from Byelorussia to the Ukraine by hiding under a train car. She was soon taken to a Russian labor camp and, when the Germans invaded Russia in 1941, Anna, refusing to disavow her mother's Jewish heritage, was taken to the concentration camp at Dachau, Germany where she survived Nazi atrocities for four years. After the war, Anna emigrated to Italy. While in Milan, she converted to Catholicism under the guidance of Cardinal Schuster. She was blessed with a photographic memory and was fluent in seven languages. These skills led her to a career with an International Import/Export company in Genoa where she worked for several years, earning her the respect and admiration of her associates. Henry left the United States only once to vacation in Italy where, through his cousin, he met and later married Anna on May 16, 1964. On November 14, 1969, Anna proudly became an American citizen. Having raised herself, without any surviving family of her own, Henry immediately became her entire world and the love of her life. Henry was her husband, confidant and best friend and she, in turn, was his loving "carina". Together they built a solid and secure life, which revolved around extended family, dear friends and the Catholic Church. She was devastated by his death in 2001 and never recovered from the loss. Anna was fascinated with history, science and continued to expand her intellectual pursuits throughout her life. She was a passionate gardener; very proud of the vegetables she grew and shared with her neighbors. Accomplished in water ballet, she also loved opera, fine foods and was a gourmet cook, particularly when it came to entertaining select family and friends during the holidays and special occasions. Anna is survived by her godchild, Kathleen Radicchi Frost (Keith), nephew Rick Righetti (Wendy) and their children, Abbi and Mia, niece Denise Righetti; her dear friends and neighbors, including the Radicchi family, Giovanna Orlando, Denise Hall, Geri Sproule, and Anna Leonard. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry, and his brothers, John Righetti, Leroy Righetti and George Righetti (Dorothy), and her sister-in-law, Annie Righetti, her long-time dear friends and witnesses at her wedding, Laura and Harold Rostagno, Mary Lou Ranconi, her dear friend Karena, and her long-time friend and neighbor Nuni Radicchi. Funeral Services will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial Park, 1927 Ocean Street on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a crypt-side service where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved late husband Henry. Contributions may be made to an organization, local school or charity of your choice ; or to the Santa Cruz Boys Girls Club at 543 Center St, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060 (http://www.boysandgirlsclub.info/) or the St. Francis Catholic Soup Kitchen (http://www.stfrancissoupkitchen.org/index.html ).