Anna Petrarca Jackson, 85, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021 in Huntsville, Alabama. She was born on May 6, 1935 in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania to Maria Elisa and Ercole Petrarca of San Pietro, Abruzzo, Italy. She was the youngest of five children. Anna was a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother.
Anna graduated from Vandergrift High School in 1951. She had two daughters during her first marriage and lived in Knoxville, Huntsville, Akron, and Virginia Beach, then permanently moved back to Huntsville in 1970. She became a registered nurse in 1974 and worked at Huntsville Hospital in the neurosurgical ward before serving as the primary nurse at Teledyne Brown Engineering. Anna married her soul mate, Dr. James E. Jackson in 1977 and later retired from nursing to spend time with her blended family and to raise her children. Anna and Jim had 44 wonderful years of marriage together before Jim’s recent passing on December 27, 2020, their eternal life together separated by only 20 days.
Anna had a loving, fun, and witty personality. She was immensely proud of her Italian heritage and often told stories of her family’s history in Italy. She spoke fluent Italian and taught her children and grandchildren cherished family traditions and recipes. She was a fabulous cook and loved to share large meals with family and friends. Anna spoke often of the sacrifice her parents made emigrating to the United States to fulfill their American dream and how proud they were to become American citizens.
Anna is preceded into eternity by her husband, James Edward Jackson; parents, Maria Elisa Bonanotte Petrarca and Ercole Petrarca; sisters, Nicolina Mastrangelo, Elsa “Betty” Gabrielli and brother, Joseph A. Petrarca.
She is survived by her sister, Melinda Silvestri; children, Cara Greco (John), Lisa Grady, David Jackson, Eric Jackson (Patricia), Steve Jackson (Beth), Mark Jackson (Kelli); grandchildren, Grace Greco, Elise Greco, Cole Greco, Janie Jackson, Miller Jackson and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with a private burial at Maple Hill Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Anna’s family would like to offer their thanks and undying gratitude to the staff of Thrive Assisted Living Community and Kindred Hospice Care. Your kindness, devotion, and loving care of our Anna is greatly appreciated and we will be forever grateful.
