Antoinette (DiFranco) Meledandri

Antoinette Meledandri, 73, of Cheswick, passed away Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023, at home, surrounded by her adoring family, taken much too soon by cancer. Born Feb. 13, 1950, Ann lived a remarkable life grounded in love, family, charity, community and faith. She graduated from Burrell High School in 1968, where she was a majorette, then worked at PPG in Springdale. She married Frank Meledandri, of New Kensington, her husband of 51 years, and made the decision to dedicate her full time to raising her four children. However, Ann was an extremely intelligent person and the hardest worker, so she never stopped learning or giving her time and talents to her community. She studied psychology and learned Italian. As a young mother, she gave piano lessons in her neighborhood. She worked as the religious education director at St Alphonsus Church in Springdale, sharing her faith and creating opportunities for the youth of her community. She took busloads of kids on ski trips and to amusement parks and started a teen volunteer program. She served on the Allegheny Valley School District School Board for multiple terms and contributed to great curriculum improvements and helped to elevate many of the school programs. She then worked at the Fox Chapel High School administration office, where she was treasured and indispensable. She also volunteered her time as a crisis pregnancy counselor for Lifeline and as a court appointed special advocate (CASA) for Allegheny County. She was an active member of Mt. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church as a eucharistic minister, religious educator and event volunteer. She was a doting daughter, daughter-in-law, and niece and cared for her elder family members. She selflessly supported, facilitated and encouraged everyone around her. In her retirement, Ann was an active participant in her grandchildren's lives. She amazed many with her energy and dedication to her nine grandchildren who adored her beyond compare. She loved to cook, bake, arrange flowers and give gifts. She kept an impeccable home and was an impressive hostess, having family dinner every Sunday, throwing all of the family parties and making everyone feel welcomed and cared for. She had a special touch and was known for her Italian dishes, elaborate birthday cakes, Christmas cookies and holiday spreads. Everything was better when she made it. Ann and Frank traveled the globe over many trips with their treasured friends. She had a special place in her heart for their beach house in Pawleys Island, S.C., where she loved to walk on the beach, find sea treasures, host friends and family and sit on her cozy back porch. She is survived by her loving husband, Frank Meledandri; children, Tara (Tom) Reighard, Frankie (Patrice) Meledandri and Lauren (John) Tosatto; grandchildren, Gianna, Sophia, Jimmy, Nick, Angelina, Oliver, Vinny, Frankie Jr. and Adriana; her beloved brothers, Gary and Gene (Denise) DiFranco and Linda (Ted) Rosetti; and cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Carmela DiFranco; and her eldest daughter, Juliet Martin. Please join the family for a memorial Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Mt. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, immediately followed by interment at Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell. The family invites you to gather for a celebration of life from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Knead Community Cafe, New Kensington, for visitation with lunch provided. Arrangements are in the care of GIUNTA-BERTUCCI FUNERAL HOME INC., 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold, JohnPaul Bertucci, owner/supervisor.  In lieu of flowers, consider donating to CASA of Allegheny County at https://pgh-casa.org/donate.

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