Anita Nirchi

Anita (Mancini) Nirchi, 100, of Endwell, NY (originally from Arnara, Italy), passed away peacefully at home on October 7th, 2025. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, Anthony Nirchi; her brothers, Antonio and Amedeo Mancini; her sister-in-law, Luisa Nirchi Valletta; and her brother-in-law, Vincenzo Valletta.
She is survived by her son, Mario (Linda) Nirchi; her daughter, Maria (David) Mastrogiacomo; her grandchildren, Michael Nirchi, David (Julie) Nirchi, Melissa (John) Schofield; and her great grandchildren Dominick and Violet Nirchi, and Jack and Gabriella Schofield. She is also survived by her brother Silverio (Palma) Mancini, and sister, Maria Mancini, who resides in Italy, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Born on March 23, 1925, in Arnara, Italy, Anita immigrated to the United States in 1955 with her husband and children in search of a better life. Like many others in Endicott at the time, she found work at the Endicott Johnson shoe factory, where she remained for 30 years.
However, her greatest joy in life was her family. She was the quintessential Italian grandmother-our Nonni-the heart and soul of our family. She embodied love and tradition, and wanted everyone to leave her home with a full stomach. You could usually find her in the kitchen in her house coat, cooking without recipes and making the best food you ever tasted. "Mangia, Mangia" was her way of saying, "I love you." Even after she could no longer cook, our family still gathered every Sunday, and still spent every Christmas Eve together at her home because it was tradition. She was the center of our family, and we were blessed to have her in our lives for so long.
Anita will be deeply missed by all who knew her-and by all who were lucky enough to have sat at her table.
The family will receive friends and loved ones at Church of the Holy Family in Endwell on Wednesday, October 15th from 10am to 11am, with funeral mass to follow. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Team Hopefull (1221 Campville Rd., Endicott, NY 13760), a local non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those living with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Anita's great granddaughter, Gabriella, lives with this rare condition, and Anita always prayed that she would one day lead an independent life.