Anna Theodora (DiGioacchino) McConnell

Anna Theodora McConnell (née DiGioacchino) passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones in Manassas, Virginia, at the age of 93. She was born in Penns Grove, New Jersey in 1931 to Rocco and Aminta DiGioacchino. Anna was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, and sister.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. McConnell, and her son, James P. McConnell. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her brother, Rocco, and her sisters, Josephine and Lisabetta.

Anna was devoted to her family. She opened her home for holidays, family celebrations, and to care for loved ones in times of need. Her love and support were always felt, and she took great pride in being there for her family through both joyous and difficult times. Her exceptional cooking was a hallmark of her hospitality. She preserved traditional Italian family recipes, especially during the holidays. Family cherished her La Vigilia on Christmas Eve, her lamb spitzada at Easter, and her signature dish – gnocchi; as well as her desserts, including Italian holiday cookies, Easter bread, and Italian rum cake.

Anna spent most of her life in Penns Grove and Pennsville, New Jersey, where she worked alongside her parents at their restaurants, The Family Inn in Penns Grove and The Lodi Hotel in Atlantic City until their retirement. She earned a secretarial degree and worked for over 20 years as an admitting clerk at several hospitals in Wilmington, Delaware, retiring in 1993 from Christiana Medical Center.

After her husband’s passing in 2012, Anna moved to Manassas, Virginia, to be closer to her daughter, Sheila. She quickly embraced her new home, cherishing time with family, making new friends, and becoming a member of the local community.

Anna is survived by her daughters: Louise Bailey and her husband, Robert; Sheila McConnell and her husband, Gary Whalen; and Maureen McConnell and her wife, Linda Eastburn. She was a devoted grandmother to Teresa, Robert (Ludmila), and Alexis Bailey and a proud great-grandmother to Mark Gregory. She is also survived by her sisters, Madeline O’Connor and Theresa Panunto.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 25 at 11:00AM at All Saints Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, Virginia, 20110. A viewing will be held prior to Mass from 9:30 – 10:30AM at the Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia 20110.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 27 from 11:00AM – 12:00PM at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19808.  A Catholic funeral service will begin at 12:00PM, immediately followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, Delaware 19808.

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