When I was younger, when my parents wanted to go out they would drop me and my sister at my grandmas apartment. I remember unpacking chinese food at the table where so many meals were shared. I was a picky eater and my grandma always made me a comfort favorite: rice pilaf. I recall doing homework and browsing the web while watching The Golden Girls with her in her family room. That show instantly attracted me- women being older and facing struggles/issues while dating and working. It’s just a great show that was ahead of its time and it’s funny! She taught my sister how to knit and gave me sewing tips. I remember having that apartment as a safe space and I would often nap on the couch after eating for hours. I miss her today and probably always will. My memory is strong though so I visit her there.
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From: Ann Kalil's Children
To: ALL Ann's Family and Friends
With deep gratitude, we want to thank all of you for joining us in reflecting on our mother's full life. If she were here today, Mom would be inviting each one of you to her place for a bite to eat and a chance to talk. It would have made Mom's heart swell to read that she was a good friend, a good aunt, and an inspiration to many. In reality, she is no longer in this world, but our bountiful memories give us solace.
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Aunt Ann had often assumed the task for making great gatherings. Her help was genuine and her cuisine a delight. Condolences to Karen, Steve, Carol, Laurie and family. Love, Cousin Jim Kalil
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The website is amazing. She had a life well lived and touched many lives.
I knew her mostly from childhood, as Mrs. Kalil and the mother of my friend, Karen. Her house was always open to us and I remember spending lots of time there. She was also our brownie and girl scout leader. I am happy that I also had a chance to talk to her a little as an adult on several more recent occasions.
I am so sorry for your loss, but glad you were all able to be with her at the end.
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2005, The Noble Maritime Collection, Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY, USA
Ann in the Noble Maritime Collection's museum shop, which she managed.
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Dear Cousins Karen, Steve, Carol & Laurie,
I'm so very sorry to hear of your profound loss & grieve, as well, in your mother's passing! She was a wonderful soul, full of the joy of life & I always found her so warm, welcoming & inspiring...I'm sure that the angels embraced her with open arms! My heart goes out to you & to all of the family in your sorrow...Sending love, Cousin Trish
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I met Ann through her daughter Laurie while attending SJSU in 1976. We loved the many stories that Laurie shared about her family's adventures and her mother's grit and grace. Whenever we visited Santa Barbara we would be showered with Ann's kindness, her cooking and her famous stories. Now 46 years later we have those memories to honor a truly remarkable woman. I remember hearing that Ann volunteered for the Peace Corps in her 70's and that story and others made me realize how much of a servant leader she was -- always so helpful to others.
I'd like to leave the family and friends of Ann the following tribute from an excerpt of Maya Angelou's poem. Sending love and healing to Laurie and her siblings. xoxo
When Great Trees Fall, a tribute to Ann Kalil
When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses and even elephants lumber to safety.
And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.
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I was proud to have a friend in Ann. She was kind, smart, and ambitous in her desire to make the world a better, lively and healthy place to be. Her stories of her service in Domenica really changed the way I understood aging, determination, & adventure. Thank you Ann! And may your family's embrace all your marvelousness help them to find solace in your leaving now, gently, and with grace.
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Aunt Ann was truly an incredible person, and an inspiration to everyone who’s lives she touched. I have so many wonderful memories of her that are etched in my mind. One that I will always remember is her sharing her creativity of flower arrangements on Thanksgiving day. We all sat on the floor to watch her and I was in awe of her talent and the fact she cared enough to share this with her many nieces and nephews was truly heartwarming. She was such a loving and caring person .
Will love you always Aunt Ann,
Cousins Lucille and Steven
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Ann and I shared the CloseKnit group for many years….she was so much a part of the many of the Noble activities. She joined Richmond Choral Society when she came to live on Staten island. She hosted many of our Board Meetings.
Ann was a real spark plug and brought so much joy to all of us. Her son, Steve and family (Laura, Alia and Anna)like Ann have supported the Noble for many years.
Her friendship will always be cherished and I will miss her dearly.
Gale Bellafiore
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My name is Jean Gaskowitz. I knew Ann and spent many days with her several years ago, while working for her. She was a warm and caring woman, intelligent, who raised a bunch of wonderful kids! A real sweetie pie... RIP my friend... jeannie
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Your mother was such a wonderful, loving woman and Aunt. I loved and adored her for all of her amazing qualities. Aunt Ann was always so sweet and kind to everyone. My oldest memories of her are precious. She was always the life of the party. Aunt Aunt's laughter and sense of fun was contagious. I always felt that I could talk with her. She would go out of her way to ask 'how was I doing?' Her heart was enormous and superbly generous. I will never forget all of the kind expressions of love that was a natural part of who she was as a person. Among the endless amounts of love she bestowed on everyone, there are two most heartfelt visions that personally stand out for me. One is on my wedding day to Stephen. I looked up to see her smiling face, as she walked into the wedding hall with her cane in hand. It was so very touching to me, seeing her warm, smiling face. It was such a long trip to make at her age, yet she told me she was determined to be there. Her presence and hug meant the world to me. The other act of kindness that was beyond belief, was when my mother passed away. We could not find a home for my mother's cat Coco. Aunt Ann, with her heart of gold, so lovingly took her into her home. What a saint she was for that extraordinary act of kindness! She will always be cherished in my heart.
With our deepest sympathy,
Cousins Laura and Stephen
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2018, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY, USA
Ann's 90th birthday celebration
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I remember the time we all went over to the apartment and made the famous peppermint candy cane cookies! Those would come back every year to be enjoyed. I also remember the time we made stuffed grape leaves there. We always had great meals with Grandma
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