ANN CURONE

Ann Dominica Curone, nee Massa, was born to Italian immigrants Pietro and Maria Massa in Los Angeles on July 16, 1920. She was raised in Boyle Heights, attended Roosevelt High School, and received a degree from Bradbury Business College. Although she was talented and would have preferred to sing opera, she was employed by, and rose to the level of supervisor with the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Social Services. In 1944, Ann met Giovanni (“John”) Curone through the social dances arranged by the Italian American community for prisoners of war confined at the camp in Harbor City.


After the war, they returned to Italy briefly for John to be repatriated and to be married on November 17, 1946. They returned to the United States, and Ann retired in 1958 to begin their family in 1959. They moved to their current home in Alhambra, and Ann gave birth over the next 5 years to their 4 daughters, Mary, Gloria, Nina, and Jo. When Giovanni died in October, 1988, Ann remained in the family home.


In 1990, Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, and quickly recovered, returning to her routine. Shortly after that, Ann began showing signs of dementia. As time passed, the family assisted her as needed, with Jo as a co-signatory. Five grandchildren were born into the family from 1992 through 2005: Sean, Madeleine, Peter, Sunnie, and Alessandria.


For well over 40 years, Ann enjoyed singing in the church choirs of Roman Catholic parishes, including St. Thomas More Church. She doted on the family’s pets, including cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, and crows. She loved birds and the outdoors, especially Sequoia National Park. On her 90th birthday, she climbed nimbly to the top of the Point Fermin Lighthouse in San Pedro.


Ann celebrated her 100th Christmas with family this year, and she passed away on December 27, 2019. With so many beloved family members behind her and many remaining here, she is greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers for Ann Curone the family would appreciate contributions to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation or to Jo's Annual Breast Cancer Walk.