Anne DiVincenzo Grasso

Devout Catholic, Loving Mother and Grandmother,
Pitched at Family Softball Game at 103, "Sharp As A Whip"
Anne DiVincenzo Grasso of Denville, NJ, passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at the extraordinary age of 104.

The visitation will be held at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre Street, Nutley, NJ on Sunday, May 11 from 2-5 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 89 Ridge Street, Newark, NJ, on Monday, May 12 at 10 a.m. followed by the burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.

Anne was born on November 14,1920, in Newark, NJ, the fifth of six children born to Gerardo and Maria (Finelli) DiVincenzo. She married the love of her life, Michael Grasso, and together they raised three children, Karen, Michael and Marianne. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, her singular answer was always, "a mother."

Anne began her working career as a legal secretary and later earned her teaching degree at night while raising her children. She taught 4th grade at Holy Family School in Nutley and was actively involved in her church community throughout her long life.

An avid Yankees fan, devoted Jeopardy viewer, and a devout Catholic, Anne loved nothing more than being surrounded by family. She relished spending time with all generations, attending concerts, plays and celebrations. Her favorite tradition was the annual DiVincenzo Family 4th of July softball game, where she took to the mound and threw out the first pitch until she was 103 years old. Anne kept her mind sharp doing the crossword puzzle daily, playing bridge and scrabble, and keeping up with the latest political news. She was sharp as a whip and could always be found with a book in her hand, filling spiral-bound notebooks with book reports on nearly every novel she read for decades.

Anne is survived by her children, Karen Colonnese and husband Mark of Seabrook Island, SC, Michael Grasso of Memphis, TN, and Marianne Rossi of Toms River, NJ; her grandchildren and their spouses, Laurie (Kevin), Melissa, Michael (Shelley), Matthew (Maria), Timothy (Cassidy) and Noelle (Michael); her great-grandchildren William, Madison, Deacon, Irelynn, Gemma and Gideon; and many loving nieces, nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael; her siblings Mary Rispo, Nicholas, Joseph and Eugene DiVincenzo, and Rose Scioscia; and her son-in-law Michael Rossi.

In lieu of flowers please send donations in Anne's name to Catholic Charities.