Anna Mae Lopresti

ANNA  MAE LOPRESTI, 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2019 while in Waterbury Hospital with her daughter, niece and nephew-in-law by her side.  Anna was born on March 16, 1925 at the Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, CT to Amelia and Joseph Hashim.  Anna grew up on Taylor Avenue in South Norwalk, CT.  She attended George Washington Elementary School, Benjamin Franklin Junior High School and Norwalk High School.  Anna graduated Merrill’s Business School with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and Secretarial Studies in 1943.

Anna was a very talented, industrious and intelligent woman.  She began working at a very young age tending the animals on her grandfather’s farm, and then working at various businesses while attending high school.  After graduating business school, Anna worked at Clover Manufacturing as Secretary to the director of the sales management division.  She also worked as sales support to operate the sales department from 1943-1952.

In 1952, Anna took a position at Vallerie’sTransportation as Secretary to the President and Vice President.  She remained in that position until 1958.

On October 7, 1950, Anna married Francesco (Frank) Lopresti at St. Joseph’s church in Norwalk, CT.  They had one daughter, Mary LoPresti, who attended the Norwalk Public Schools.  Anna served on numerous school committees and volunteered in the school libraries.  She took a very active role in her daughter’s education.  Anna worked at the Norwalk Hour newspaper and at MBI in Norwalk.  She became the full-time caregiver of her mother, Amelia Hashim, until her mother’s death.

Anna was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, sister and mother.  She always had a warm smile and words of encouragement for everyone.  She loved to travel, garden and work in the yard.  Anna was creatively involved for years.  She loved working with ceramics, drawing, attending concerts, musicals and operas, and loved life.  Anna was an excellent cook.  Simple gatherings always turned into monumental feasts for all who came to visit.

Anna is predeceased by her father Joseph Hashim, mother Amelia Hashim, husband Frank Lopresti andbrother Vincent Hashim.  She is survived by one daughter, Mary Diane LoPresti of Oxford, CT; loving friend and “adopted” daughter Kathleen O’Neil of Oxford, CT;  niece Deborah Cutuli-Block and her husband Joel of Easton, CT;  niece Denise Cutuli of Tolland, CT;  nephew Richard Cutuli and wife Judy of Guilford, CT;  nephew Jeffrey Cutuli and wife Donna of San Jose, CA;  niece Annette Davis and husband Arthur of Bakersfield, CA; nephew Paul Hashim of Keller, TX;  and many cousins in CT, NY, TN, VA and FL. Anna was loved by all and will be terribly missed. Her family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Ave., Norwalk, CT from 6:00-8:00 PM.  A Catholic funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at St. Matthew Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT at 10:00 AM.  Burial will immediately follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 223 Richards Ave., Norwalk, CT.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances of Anna can be made to charity.