Anita Fabiano

Obituary For Anita Fabiano

Anita Fabiano, 77, of Staten Island, New York passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025. Anita was predeceased by her loving husband of over 50 years, Joseph Fabiano, in May 2020. Daughter to the late Dorothy and Matthew DiGiovanni, she was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York alongside her identical twin sister and lifelong best friend Vita, and her dear younger sister, Lisa. She lived near her grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins, with whom she enjoyed growing up.

A graduate of New Utrecht High School, Anita was an administrative and legal assistant to senior level executives and law partners for over 25 years between 1967 and 2009. She excelled at her job and was appreciated for her calm under pressure, sense of humor, and kind nature. She made many lasting friendships at work and even at the bus stop on her way to Manhattan. Anita was very sad to retire early due to early onset Alzheimer's, and she was sorely missed by her colleagues.

Anita and her high school sweetheart, Joe, married on October 11, 1969. Together they raised their two daughters, Lara and Stefanie, in the Midland Beach/Dongan Hills area of Staten Island. Anita chose to stay home when her children were young. She instilled in them a love for public libraries, reading, nature, art, and music, and treated them to egg creams, Mallomars, and other goodies. She also modeled compassion and service to others and taught them to respect and befriend people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Anita, together with her husband Joe, enjoyed being an active parishioner of St. Margaret Mary's Church, where she served as a eucharistic minister and a religious education coordinator and teacher, while Joe sang in the choir and served in the Men's Club. They thoroughly enjoyed being part of that community and began cherished friendships there. Anita was also a Meals on Wheels (M.O.W.) volunteer, delivering food to the homebound, often staying a bit to talk with them, and sometimes bringing her daughters along for the ride and a behind-the-scenes look at the cool M.O.W prep kitchen.

Anita and Joe were well-matched in their generosity of heart and their unending desire and effortless way of making others feel welcome, supported, and loved. From this came so many strong and enduring relationships, including a 40-plus year friendship with the late Fr. Jesús, a visiting priest from Spain, that went on to include extended family members and a very special trip to Spain with Anita's cherished sister, Vita, and brother-in-law, John.

Together, Anita and Joe, also loved going all-out on birthday and other celebrations, like the one time Anita announced Joe's 40th birthday with a personalized billboard on Hylan Blvd, the many times they worked together to create coordinated costumes for themselves and friends to wear at Halloween dances and New Year's parties, and the crazy times they walked their extra-large roasting pan complete with Tom the Turkey back and forth across the street because using their dear friend's oven meant they could cook even more food for their large extended family.

Over the years Anita cherished time spent with her growing family. She was especially thrilled when she became a grandmother, AND her beloved mother became a great grandmother, for the first time. This joy continued with the births of five more grandchildren, her sweet peas, as she called them. She loved holding them, even if it was in the bathroom because the exhaust fan helped them sleep. She took playing pretend to another level, letting them dress her up too, and making up stories – like her beloved father would – of far-off adventures and magical places. She told them about her love of hot air balloon rides and showed them her encased monarch butterfly. She got down on the floor with them and made the most of every moment. They made her laugh and smile. She gave them nicknames like " Brenny Boo" and "Mama Girl" and created silly songs for them. Though it was a struggle for her to travel, she visited her Virginia grandkids and enjoyed being with her youngest two in Staten Island for everyday activities and special times like trick-or-treating, Pre-K, and Kindergarten celebrations. Being their grandma was, no doubt, her greatest joy.

Anita was only 60 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her future was daunting, and her past was slipping away, but she didn't let that stop her from living in the present for as long as her mind and body would allow. She was devastated to know she would forget her family and friends, and afraid of the physical and mental decline that were ahead, but she was also brave, adventurous, silly, self-deprecating, trusting, appreciative, faithful, and always wanting to share her love and kisses. Anita's family and friends have missed the fullness of her for a long time already, and they will miss her even more now that she is truly gone. They will remember how she lived and loved, and they will strive to do the same.

Anita leaves behind her daughters Lara Fabiano and Stefanie Fabiano; son-in-law, Brian Viskupic; grandchildren Olivia Viskupic, Luke Viskupic, Ryan Viskupic, Natalie Viskupic, Brendan Hanratty, and Genevieve Hanratty; and sisters, Vita (John) Paino and Lisa (Joe) Parascando. She will also be remembered by many cousins, nieces and nephews, great- nieces and nephews, and other family members and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Hanley Funeral Home (60 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island NY) on Sunday, Jan 4, 2-4 and 7-9pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Monday, Jan 5 at the Church of Saint Christopher and Saint Margaret Mary (130 Midland Avenue, Staten Island, NY). Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.