Obituaries

Anna Degrassi peacefully passed away in her home on April 21st, 2026

Anna Degrassi was born on December 3rd, 1930 in Trieste, Italy to Luigi and Maria Bracco. Anna grew up with four siblings, Roger, Michael, Ninetta and Michelina. As a young child, Anna enjoyed Trieste’s beautiful beaches and loved swimming in the ocean. 

Anna unexpectedly had to become a lifeline for her family in 1943 when Germany took control of Trieste and used it for their operations. Her mother assigned her the dangerous job of walking her Nazi occupied, bombed city to obtain food rations for the family. When Anna would talk about this experience, she would confess that before returning home, she would hide and sneak a sip of soup as a reward for herself. She did this dutifully until liberation in 1945. 

After the war, Anna was able to complete her high school education and then went on to a specialty school to become a tailor. One evening in 1951 Anna had gone to a dance hall and there she met a man named Matteo Degrassi. They started talking and within a few minutes she told him, “I don’t like that mustache.” Matteo responded with, “Well, I don’t ever plan on marrying you.” On May 31st, 1953, Anna and a clean shaven Matteo were married in Trieste. 

The young couple resided there and welcomed their first child, Paul, in November of 1954. Matteo was supporting his family by working nights in a very hazardous steel mill. Anna and Matteo came to the conclusion that they wanted to start a new life. Matteo’s brother Franco, along with his wife, Erminia had immigrated to America in 1955 and they decided they would join them. They packed up their small family, bid farewell to the only place they had ever known, and in 1956 took a plane to Chicago.

Once arriving in Chicago, Anna and Matteo not only received tremendous support from Franco and Erminia, but also their new community. They helped them secure an apartment in the Little Italy neighborhood and find employment. Matteo worked in the trades, specifically installing Terrazzo flooring all around the Chicagoland area. Anna became a tailor specializing in men’s suits. She quickly became the preferred tailor to notable Italian American businessmen and politicians. Even though there were the challenges of moving to a new country and learning a new language, Anna, Matteo, Franco and Erminia were thriving together and able to grow their families. Anna and Matteo’s second child, Mary Grace, was born in June of 1961. After many years of hard work, Anna and Matteo were able to leave their Little Italy apartment and buy their own bungalow in Berwyn in 1971. 

In the Berwyn home they continued to watch their children grow up, graduate and witness their weddings. During this time, after a very long process, they were also very proud to finally become American citizens in 1975. Their first grandchild arrived, Jennifer, in 1977. She was followed by her brother Paul in 1979. Later in 1983, Cynthia was born. Many treasured family memories were made in that home. In early 1986, Matteo was diagnosed with lung cancer and unfortunately passed on May 3rd, 1986. Anna continued to live in that home until 1993.

Anna decided she wanted to downsize and live closer to family. She purchased her home in Batavia in March of 1993 and her last grandson, David, was born in April of 1993. Anna continued to work as a tailor in Chicago and commuted by train every day until she retired at 65. During her time in Batavia, Anna still prioritized spending time with family, but also enjoyed cooking, shopping, getting her hair done, watching Italian soap operas and old tv shows. She had the absolute joy of watching her grandchildren grow up and get married. She also was blessed with great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren. In the last years of her life, Anna had two amazing companions, Monica and Julie, who provided friendship and  took care of her as if she was their own mother. The family is forever grateful for them. Anna’s Catholic faith and love for her family never dwindled, even during the last days of her life.

Anna leaves behind her children, Paul Degrassi (Kathy) and Mary Juris (Dave). Four grandchildren, Jennifer Scurek (Rich), Paul Degrassi (Jessica), Cynthia Kilmer (Eric), and David Juris (Nikki). Four great grandchildren, Nina Volkov (Tristan), Lincoln Degrassi, David Juris, and Addilyn Kilmer. Lastly, two great great grandchildren Anastasya and Luca Volkov.

Anna was preceded in death by her brother, Michael of Trieste, Italy in 2024.

Services will be held at Holy Cross Church in Batavia on Monday, April 27th.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30, with mass immediately following.

Graveside service will be at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Hillside.

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