Anna LaGuardia

On Saturday, February 7, 2026, Anna LaGuardia passed away peacefully in Columbus, Ohio, surrounded by her loving sister and nieces.

Anna was known to all who knew her as a woman with a heart of gold—loving, kind, and endlessly generous. Her greatest joy was caring for others. Whether cooking someone’s favorite meal or finding the perfect thoughtful gift, she gave selflessly and without hesitation. Her bright blue eyes, her cascade of long, blond hair—her trademark since girlhood—and her gentle smile had a way of lighting up any room.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Anna loved God, Jesus, and her Catholic faith with her whole heart. She found comfort and peace in prayer and was rarely without her rosary, often holding it quietly in her hands while watching television or resting. Her faith guided her life and was reflected in the kindness, patience, and compassion she showed to everyone she encountered.

Anna expressed love most vividly through acts of care, especially through her cooking. She was renowned for her Italian dishes, homemade breads, and tiramisu, and she took great pride in welcoming others into her home. A hostess extraordinaire, she made every guest feel comfortable, cherished, and at ease. Anna embodied warmth, comfort, and attentiveness in all she did.

In her earlier years, she was an accomplished seamstress, carefully tailoring clothing for others and even hand-sewing outfits for her nieces’ dolls with remarkable patience and care. She cherished her siblings deeply and was a second mother to her many nieces and nephews, offering guidance, affection, and unwavering devotion. Once her fondness for butterflies became known, she was gifted countless butterfly keepsakes—something she joked about fondly, noting that once people know what you love, that’s what they give you.

Anna was born on January 1, 1935, in Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy, to Maria Vittoria and Giuseppe Malvestuto. She was the beloved sister of Gina, Erminio, Vincenza, Giovina, Alma, and Domenic. As a young girl, she spent many years working and learning alongside the nuns—an experience that helped shape her lifelong devotion to faith, service, and care for others.

At the age of 22, Anna’s bright spirit caught the eye of her future husband, Salvatore. After a brief courtship, they married, and he brought her to the United States, where they began their life together in Youngstown and later Canfield, Ohio. In 1992, they moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to enjoy the warmth and sunshine of the desert. Anna and Salvatore shared more than 65 years of devoted marriage.

Anna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Salvatore; her sister, Gina Iudiciani; her brothers, Erminio and Domenic Malvestuto; and sister-in-law, Violet Malvestuto (Erminio).

She is survived by her loving sisters: Vincenza Bevilacqua of Canada; Giovina Lucente of Ohio; Alma Di Iorio of Italy; sister-in-law, Judy Malvestuto of Arizona; as well as her many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

A viewing at 10:30 am will precede a Funeral Mass at 11 am at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church on Thursday, February 12,2026, with a livestream available. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Phoenix, Arizona, where Anna will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.

Anna will always remain in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.