ANNA FAMA
NORWICH – Anna M. Fama, 77, of Sheldon Street, Norwich, passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, with her family at her side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Brooklyn on Feb. 22, 1929, Anna was the daughter of Calargio and Theresa (Corolla) Caravello. When she was in her early teens, she moved with her family to McDonough and finished her school years in the Oxford schools. At the young age of 16, in St. Bartholomew’s Church on Sept. 14, 1946, Anna married Joseph N. Fama. A woman who would devote herself to her husband and later to her family, Anna helped Joe in the operation of an Italian bakery on West Railroad St. in Norwich for a time, and she later worked for GLA and the Norwich Pharmacal Company. In 1972, she and Joe opened their own business, Joan’s Lighting, a family business with everyone joining in for the creation of lovely lamps. Anna was a person who loved people and was considered a peacemaker by her family, as well as being a good example to her children and grandchildren. She was a three-time cancer survivor, yet maintained a love of life and was a gentle and compassionate lady with a perpetual smile. In her early years, she belonged to the Ave Maria Guild and choir of St. Bartholomew’s Church. She was a life member of St. Bartholomew’s and of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, where she also worked as a volunteer at their bingo games. A self-proclaimed “bingo-holic,” Anna loved to play the game, whether at VFW or at any other area game, and had also enjoyed it during travels to Las Vegas.
Anna is survived by her children: Antoinette Perkins and husband Michael of Norwich, Sandy Fama and wife Linda of Bakersfield, Calif., Joseph N. Fama Jr., and wife Nancy of Norwich, and Theresa Jensen and husband Don of South New Berlin; by 12 grandchildren: Heather Pulver, Amber Perkins, Michael R. Perkins, Michele Renee Popiella, Monique Romero, Santo Fama, Nicole Antoinette Fama, Joseph Nicholas Fama III, Christi Rene Fregans, Donald Charles Jensen Jr. and his fiancée, Sarah Harris; Christina Ann Jensen, and Mark Christopher Jensen; and by several great grandchildren. Also surviving are Anna’s sisters and their husbands: Jeanette and Pete Stamp of New Jersey, Rita and Fiorie Esposito of Long Island, and Theresa Ecker of Milford; her brothers and their wives: Joseph Caravello of Florida, Albert and Connie Caravello of Middletown, Pete and Jacquelyn Caravello of Morristown; her sisters-in-law: Nona Caravello and June Caravello, both of New Jersey; and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband Joe in August of 2000; and by her brothers: John, Jack, and Anthony Caravello.
A Mass of Resurrection for Anna will be held at 11 a.m. Monday from the Church of the Holy Apostle St. Bartholomew’s. Interment will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11.
In lieu of flowers, Anna’s family has asked that memorial contributions be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango Co., 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, One St. Jude Place Bldg., P.O. Box 100, Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148-0552.

Arrangements are by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home.