Obituary of Anna Chillemi

Anna (Ann) Chillemi, 84, of Freehold Township passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.  She was born and raised in Brooklyn and settled in Freehold Township in 1993.  After owning and operating a candy store, Ann spent most of her working life as a department store manager at Alexander’s for over 20 years.  In her retirement, she had the opportunity to do what she loved most, helping to raise her grandchildren and spending time with her family. She instilled the importance of family into all of her children and grandchildren, leading them to grow strong friendships and bonds, no matter the distance. She also acted as a rock and moral compass to her family, providing strength and being the guiding light that ensured all her children and grandchildren hold true to truth and their values. Ann enjoyed vacations in Atlantic City, eating sweets, especially cake, and watching mystery and sci-fi movies.  She was a humble, kind and generous woman who silently contributed to many charities throughout her life.  Most of all, Ann loved her family.  She will be dearly missed. 

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Gertrude Giakas and siblings, Millie Cirafesi, John Giakas, Walter McKay, Lavinia Duria.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Frank Chillemi of Freehold Township; children, Deborah Grote and her husband, Ray of Newnan, GA, Frank Chillemi  and his wife, Sarah of Holbrook, NY and DiAnne Calabrisotto and her husband, Joe of Manalapan, NJ; grandchildren, Raymond Grote and his wife, Alia, Samantha Chillemi-Berenz  and her husband, Daniel, Laura Avitable and her husband, Rob, George Grote, Thomas Grote, Talia Chillemi, Joseph Calabrisotto, and Christopher Calabrisotto; great grandchildren, Sophia and Lena; siblings, George Giakas and his wife, Eileen of South Plainfield, NJ and William Giakas of Penns Grove, NJ; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 from 5:00 to 8:30 PM with her funeral service at 8:30 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday, July 5, 2019 at 10:30 AM for the procession to her graveside service at Brigadier General William C. Doyle New Jersey Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. For those who desire, donations may be made in Anna’s name to The ALS Association, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005 or the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, P.O. Box 2146, Oak Ridge, NJ 07438. For information, directions, or condolence messages to the family visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.