Anne M. Mantia Obituary
Anne Mantia, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, known as Bama to those closest to her, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024. She was born on April 4, 1936 to Pasquale and Vincenza Fiore Tesauro.
Anne graduated from Norwalk High in 1955, married Salvatore Bottone in 1957, and started her family in 1958. Valerie and Sal became her world. Ever the homemaker, she cooked dinner every night, kept the house sparkling, and took her children on walks around town and trips to the beach or friends' houses.
She stayed active as a bowler and a 30-year member of the Longshore Women's Golf Association, where she won tournament trophies and made lifelong friends. She welcomed countless guests to her home to swim in the pool, play cards, or gather around the fireplace. As a passionate chef, she nourished us with her pastas, cookies, and more.
Anne was strong. After Sal passed away in 1996, she found love again and married Sam Mantia in 2001. Together they traveled the world, expanded their culinary skills, and sang love songs to each other until Sam's passing in 2017. Anne survived breast cancer twice, holding herself with grace and style through it all.
Anne lived her life fully for family and friends. She knew everyone's birthdays, anniversaries, celebrating each and every milestone. You couldn't visit her without being offered snacks, coffee, tea, or her favorite Sanpellegrino. In the last two years of her life, Bama was famous wherever she stayed for her radiant smile, songs, and generous compliments.
Bama, we love you so much - and we always know you love us the most.
Anne is survived by her children: daughter Valerie Sielert and husband Bill, and son Sal Bottone, Jr.; her grandchildren: Christina MacLean and husband Kenneth, Kelly Sielert and husband Marty Rouse, Dylan Sielert, and Jennifer Anza and husband Vincent; great-grandchildren Luca and Leo; many beloved nieces and nephews; brother Anthony (Babe) Tesauro; and everyone whose days and lives she brightened with her charm and kindness. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Dominic and John Tesauro, her sister-in-law Lorraine Tesauro, and her husbands Salvatore Bottone and Salvatore (Sam) Mantia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 7 at 10 AM at St. Matthews Church on 216 Scribner Avenue in Norwalk. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, 223 Richard's Avenue, Norwalk.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Horizons at the Foote School to support her granddaughter's work sharing joyful learning with New Haven children.
