Obituary for Annette M. Spena
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Annette, our loving and devoted sister, aunt, and friend, on September 24, 2021.
Annette Marguerite Spena (Sanders), born December 17, 1936, passed away in her sleep at age 84, with her sister by her side.
Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Spena; brother, Ronald Sanders; sisters-in-law Janet Sanders and Cecilia Sanders; and her parents, Boyd and Angelina Sanders.
Annette is survived by her brother, Arthur Sanders; her sister, Bernadette Flynn (John); and nieces and nephews Ronald Sanders Jr., Bernadette Robison, Michelle DiCapua (Antonio), Kimberly Mancini, Arthur Sanders Jr., Angelique Flynn, Rochelle Flynn Avignon (Jawwaad), John Flynn III, many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Annette was born and raised in South Philadelphia. She contracted polio at age 2 1⁄2 and defied the odds to live a long and full life. She worked at the Department of Defense & Supply as a sewing machine operator making military uniforms.
She treasured her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children and she embraced every moment with her family.
Annette was known for a lifelong love of Philadelphia sports teams, and she was ecstatic that she lived to see her Eagles win the Super Bowl. She taught her family to make meatballs and Easter pies; she enjoyed crocheting and making blankets for everyone, particularly babies; and she loved every dog she met. Annette had a vivacious personality and always made people laugh, and above all, she
inspired everyone around her with her resilience, bravery, strength, generosity, and kindness.
Visitation will be held at the Monti-Rago Funeral Home, 2531-35 South Broad Street Philadelphia on Thursday, September 30th 8:00-9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at
Stella Maris Catholic Church, 2901 S 10th St, Philadelphia. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to End Polio Now through Rotary International www.endpolio.org/donate
Annette Marguerite Spena (Sanders), born December 17, 1936, passed away in her sleep at age 84, with her sister by her side.
Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Spena; brother, Ronald Sanders; sisters-in-law Janet Sanders and Cecilia Sanders; and her parents, Boyd and Angelina Sanders.
Annette is survived by her brother, Arthur Sanders; her sister, Bernadette Flynn (John); and nieces and nephews Ronald Sanders Jr., Bernadette Robison, Michelle DiCapua (Antonio), Kimberly Mancini, Arthur Sanders Jr., Angelique Flynn, Rochelle Flynn Avignon (Jawwaad), John Flynn III, many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Annette was born and raised in South Philadelphia. She contracted polio at age 2 1⁄2 and defied the odds to live a long and full life. She worked at the Department of Defense & Supply as a sewing machine operator making military uniforms.
She treasured her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children and she embraced every moment with her family.
Annette was known for a lifelong love of Philadelphia sports teams, and she was ecstatic that she lived to see her Eagles win the Super Bowl. She taught her family to make meatballs and Easter pies; she enjoyed crocheting and making blankets for everyone, particularly babies; and she loved every dog she met. Annette had a vivacious personality and always made people laugh, and above all, she
inspired everyone around her with her resilience, bravery, strength, generosity, and kindness.
Visitation will be held at the Monti-Rago Funeral Home, 2531-35 South Broad Street Philadelphia on Thursday, September 30th 8:00-9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. at
Stella Maris Catholic Church, 2901 S 10th St, Philadelphia. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to End Polio Now through Rotary International www.endpolio.org/donate