Anna Marino St. John

Anna Rose (Marino) St. John, 86

Troy - The beautiful soul of Anna Rose (Marino) St. John passed into eternal life on Sunday, August 9th at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. Daughter of the late Vincent A. Marino, Sr. and Mafalda Y. Polverino, Anna was 86 years young. She was the beloved wife and best friend of Robert W. St. John, Sr., with whom she celebrated 60 years of marriage.

Born and raised in Troy, Anna received her elementary education from P.S. #14 and graduated from Troy High School in 1942. She then went on to complete the business program at Mildred Elley.

She was a lifelong communicant of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Troy until its closing in February 2009. Over the course of her adult life, she was a cornerstone of the parish community, serving in many capacities: Couples' Club co-chair with her husband, Bob; member of the Women's club; co-chair of the kitchen for parish bazaars; member of the Home Bureau Society; Eucharistic minister; and member of the Parish Council. Her deep faith sustained her as she established a new home in Our Lady of Victory Parish of Troy where she found a welcoming spirit and warm hospitality.

Anna considered herself lucky to love her work and to enjoy the people associated with it - as a secretary at the Watervliet Arsenal, as a translator for the Immigration/Naturalization Service, and as Supervisor for Corporations with the Department of State, and her volunteer work as a nurse's aid at Samaritan Hospital during WW II. After her retirement, she volunteered as Office Assistant at Carondelet Music Center. Perhaps her greatest accomplishment was that of dance partner for her husband, Robert, for over 60 years. Their love formed the enabling foundation for their five children. Family was the centerpiece of her life. The home Anna created welcomed and nourished all and nothing delighted her more than to be gathered around the table with friends and family alike. She personified self-emptying love, giving all she had to anyone in need. She was quick to offer a helping hand, an encouraging word, or a gentle smile. A lover of life, seeker of fun, and sustainer of good times, she could easily jive with the curly shuffle or swing with the jitter bug. She loved music, often filling in the lyrics to KC Kasem's top 100 on Saturday mornings, to classic Rock 'n Roll, or to timeless classical treasures.

With her husband, Anna was supporter, nurturer, and best friend to their children: Vincent (Sharon) St. John of Jacksonville, Florida; Sister Patricia St. John, CSJ, of Albany; Ann Marie St. John-Grover of Clifton Park; Eugene F. (Donna) St. John of Troy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Michelle and Nicholas, Ryan and Russell; her sister, Mary Marino; her sisters-in-law, Carol Marino-Delano, Theresa Marino, Catherine Reese, Marie Hilliker (Donald); her brothers-in-law Eugene J. St. John (Dorothy), DuWayne St. John and Arnold St. John. Anna was the cherished aunt to several nieces and nephews, and loyal friend to many who will miss her dearly. In 1992, her first-born, Robert Jr., died suddenly, a loss breaking her heart and from which she never recovered. Additionally, she was predeceased by her brothers Pasquale and Vincent Marino, Jr., her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Catherine and Eugene F. St. John, and her son-in-law, Howard J. Grover.

Funeral service will be held Friday at 9:00 AM at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy and at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Victory Church Troy where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Thursday from 4-8 PM.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum Troy.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Development Office, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110.

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