NAUGATUCK — Anna M. (Rosa) Witkoski, 84, widow of Henry J. “Hank” Witkoski, Sr., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital.
She was born in Waterbury on April 27, 1933, daughter of the late William and Raffaella (Buonocore) Rosa.
Although Anna was a longtime Naugatuck resident, she was a Waterbury girl at heart. She was born and raised on Lannen Street, just above Fulton Park, and would often refer to herself as “Annie, from the Hill!”
Anna graduated from Mary Abbott Elementary School and Leavenworth High School, class of 1951. She was proud of her city and cherished her childhood family memories. Anna was a communicant of both St. Hedwig Church in Naugatuck and the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury.
For many years, Anna was the warm and friendly face at Rita’s Bakery in Union City and also the baking department at Waldbaums in Naugatuck. She loved all sports, especially baseball. A Red Sox fan from her youth, she typically was found watching the Yankees, because it was just more fun to root against them.
Blessed with a “green thumb,” Anna loved flowers and growing vegetables. She was an outstanding cook and phenomenal baker, her cookies were legendary.
Anna is survived by her loving son, Henry J. “Hank” Witkoski, Jr. and his wife, Rosie, of Naugatuck; her grandchildren, Ashley Dutton and her husband, Wes, Jacqueline Strout and her husband, Ryan, Lindsay Gallo and her husband, Michael, and Rebecca Witkoski; her three great–grandchildren, Ella Dutton, Jackson Dutton and Tanner Strout; her brother, William Rosa and wife, Elizabeth, of Torrington; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, William F. “Billy” Witkoski, and brother, Nicholas “Nicky” Rosa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 74 West Main St., Waterbury. Those attending are asked to please meet at the church at 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck.
To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.
