Obituary for Hon. Anna C. Verna
Anna Cibotti Verna broke the glass ceiling in Philadelphia politics in 1999 when she became the
first woman in Philadelphia's then 300-year history to achieve the City Council Presidency. Verna served nine terms as a member of the Philadelphia City Council, representing the Second Council District, including Center City, South, and Southwest Philadelphia. She was the epitome of a lady, a public servant, a friend, and a mentor. The first-born child of William A. Cibotti and Pauline Fusco, both first-generation Italian Americans, Anna Cibotti was born and raised at 22nd and Dickinson Streets in South Philadelphia and never forgot her roots. She believed in and lived by the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. A City Council seat was not always Anna Verna's destiny. She worked hard, first in the City Controller's office, then the District Attorney's office, before working for her father, former Magistrate and later Councilman William Cibotti. She recalled years later that her father's body hadn't yet been removed from the house after his death when the jockeying began to replace him. She decided she was as capable and prepared as any and beat seven men in a primary in 1975, becoming one of the few women elected to office in the city at the time. Congressman Bill Barrett was one of Verna's most prominent supporters, and she was forever grateful for his guidance concerning her career. She was known to be competent and tough; who could have survived in South Philadelphia politics otherwise? As Chair of the Finance Committee from 1991 through 1998, she guided bond refinancings through the Committee that resulted in over $1 billion in savings to a city on the verge of bankruptcy. She championed the need to protect the quality of life for Philadelphians from all walks of life, sponsoring the first property tax reform bill that froze assessments and tax rates for low-income senior citizens. She always believed that the city's strength came from the strength of its neighborhoods, and she made the renovation of housing stock in communities and affordable housing a top priority. Verna knew how to make things happen and is perhaps best remembered for her focus on serving the needs of her constituents. From 1979 through 2007, through primaries and general elections, she never lost a single division in the areas she represented because she always remembered who voted for her. In the few commencement speeches she agreed to make, she said, "I've had dinner with the Queen of England, and I've met Presidents – none of them are as important to me as the people I represent." Verna retired from City Council in 2011, after 50 years of service to the city. In retirement, Verna continued to serve on the Board of City Trusts until 2021. She was a past member of the boards of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Art Museum, and Philadelphia Orchestra, a long-time member of numerous Italian American civic organizations, and the long-time chair of the Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade. She was the recipient of hundreds of community awards and commendations. She was also knighted by the Republic of Italy, receiving the title "Commendatore" for her contributions as a leading member of Philadelphia's social, cultural, and civic communities. Anne, as she was known to friends and family, spent most summers in Margate, New Jersey, with her beloved brother Sonny (Angelo), her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Her greatest joy was cooking crabs and macaroni for the family with the kids playing on the deck. Whoever truly knew Anne knew her family meant the world to her, and they will never forget the great times they had as a family. A proud graduate of John W. Hallahan High School, she received honorary degrees from Chestnut Hill College and the Community College of Philadelphia. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband of sixty-five years, Severino Verna, Jr., who died in 2009. She is survived by her brother Angelo (Sonny) Cibotti, her niece, Paula Cibotti, nephews John Cibotti, Vincent Cibotti, and William Cibotti, her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, her caregiver, Naira Moore, her long-time friend Patricia and the late Francis Rafferty, and a legion of dedicated friends and staff members, especially Maryanne Mahoney, The Rev. Kathleen Murray, and Jerry Davis.
Relatives and friends are invited to her VIEWING FRIDAY 9:45 A.M. until 12 Noon at The Church of St. Richard’s, 18th and Pollock Sts., followed by her Funeral Mass at 12:30 P.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made in her memory to St. Richard’s Church.
first woman in Philadelphia's then 300-year history to achieve the City Council Presidency. Verna served nine terms as a member of the Philadelphia City Council, representing the Second Council District, including Center City, South, and Southwest Philadelphia. She was the epitome of a lady, a public servant, a friend, and a mentor. The first-born child of William A. Cibotti and Pauline Fusco, both first-generation Italian Americans, Anna Cibotti was born and raised at 22nd and Dickinson Streets in South Philadelphia and never forgot her roots. She believed in and lived by the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. A City Council seat was not always Anna Verna's destiny. She worked hard, first in the City Controller's office, then the District Attorney's office, before working for her father, former Magistrate and later Councilman William Cibotti. She recalled years later that her father's body hadn't yet been removed from the house after his death when the jockeying began to replace him. She decided she was as capable and prepared as any and beat seven men in a primary in 1975, becoming one of the few women elected to office in the city at the time. Congressman Bill Barrett was one of Verna's most prominent supporters, and she was forever grateful for his guidance concerning her career. She was known to be competent and tough; who could have survived in South Philadelphia politics otherwise? As Chair of the Finance Committee from 1991 through 1998, she guided bond refinancings through the Committee that resulted in over $1 billion in savings to a city on the verge of bankruptcy. She championed the need to protect the quality of life for Philadelphians from all walks of life, sponsoring the first property tax reform bill that froze assessments and tax rates for low-income senior citizens. She always believed that the city's strength came from the strength of its neighborhoods, and she made the renovation of housing stock in communities and affordable housing a top priority. Verna knew how to make things happen and is perhaps best remembered for her focus on serving the needs of her constituents. From 1979 through 2007, through primaries and general elections, she never lost a single division in the areas she represented because she always remembered who voted for her. In the few commencement speeches she agreed to make, she said, "I've had dinner with the Queen of England, and I've met Presidents – none of them are as important to me as the people I represent." Verna retired from City Council in 2011, after 50 years of service to the city. In retirement, Verna continued to serve on the Board of City Trusts until 2021. She was a past member of the boards of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Art Museum, and Philadelphia Orchestra, a long-time member of numerous Italian American civic organizations, and the long-time chair of the Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade. She was the recipient of hundreds of community awards and commendations. She was also knighted by the Republic of Italy, receiving the title "Commendatore" for her contributions as a leading member of Philadelphia's social, cultural, and civic communities. Anne, as she was known to friends and family, spent most summers in Margate, New Jersey, with her beloved brother Sonny (Angelo), her nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Her greatest joy was cooking crabs and macaroni for the family with the kids playing on the deck. Whoever truly knew Anne knew her family meant the world to her, and they will never forget the great times they had as a family. A proud graduate of John W. Hallahan High School, she received honorary degrees from Chestnut Hill College and the Community College of Philadelphia. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband of sixty-five years, Severino Verna, Jr., who died in 2009. She is survived by her brother Angelo (Sonny) Cibotti, her niece, Paula Cibotti, nephews John Cibotti, Vincent Cibotti, and William Cibotti, her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, her caregiver, Naira Moore, her long-time friend Patricia and the late Francis Rafferty, and a legion of dedicated friends and staff members, especially Maryanne Mahoney, The Rev. Kathleen Murray, and Jerry Davis.
Relatives and friends are invited to her VIEWING FRIDAY 9:45 A.M. until 12 Noon at The Church of St. Richard’s, 18th and Pollock Sts., followed by her Funeral Mass at 12:30 P.M. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made in her memory to St. Richard’s Church.