Anne B. Polverari

POLVERARI-Anne B. (nee "Deebe" Simon) Beloved mother, devoted daughter and caring wife, "Deebe" passed away peacefully at home October 11, 2007, just 20 days before her 99th birthday. She is survived by her daughter, Veronica and son, Thomas R., and predeceased by her husband, Thomas E. and daughter, Marilyn. She was born October 31, 1908 in New York City and soon after moved to Buffalo with her immigrant Lebanese parents, Joseph and Mary Simon and three older brothers. While still a child, she began interpreting English for her parents, representing them (and other Lebanese immigrants) in Court, helping her parents in their dry goods business, and caring for them until their deaths in 1937. She simultaneously and unstintingly looked after the needs and wants of three family generations (her parents, children, husband and brothers). She dreamed of becoming a pediatrician, but had to curtail her formal education before completing high school. She achieved part of her dream by seeing to it that all of her children received a higher education and helping both daughters become accomplished Registered Nurses. She displayed her charisma and leadership abilities by heading various local religious and social clubs and by running a small delicatessen adjacent to the family home at 374 Seneca Street, (next to DiTondo's), adding to the income provided primarily by our father. At age 71, she was the exclusive subject of a May 16, 1980 article, "An Appetite for Aging" by Pulitzer Prize-winning Los Angeles Times columnist, critic and author Howard Rosenberg. "Deebe" was loved, admired and respected by all who had the benefit of knowing her. She was gifted with an unswerving devotion and faith in God and the Virgin Mary for protecting and guiding her throughout her life. She used to say, "Remember, thank God for anything and everything!" Truly, the Biblical quotation, "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord" aptly describes the sum and essence of her "unsung heroine" life. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 AM on Saturday, November 17 at St. John Maron Maronite Church, 2040 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville, NY. She will be buried at her parents' grave site in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, NY.