Antoinette "Ann" R. "Ann" Graeca

Antoinette Rita D'Ambrosio Sterling Graeca

Antoinette Rita D'Ambrosio Sterling Graeca, 91, of Florida and formerly of Erie, passed away Friday July 25, 2025 in Seminole, FL. She was born in Glassport, PA on April 19, 1934, a daughter of the late Salvatore and Rosina Guarino D'Ambrosio.

Ann graduated from Academy High School where she was voted "Most Athletic Girl". She graduated from Gannon University earning her degree in accounting which served her well in future jobs at Marx Toys, Carlson Erie, and at Hammermill Paper Co., where she worked for almost 20 years. She loved rollerskating and that is how she met Ed Sterling, her first husband, who loved sports as much as she did and taught their daughter, Rosemarie, to skate at the age of two. Bowling was something Ann, Ed, and son, Ed, excelled in together at the lanes.

Ann played softball in school and channeled that into a love of baseball which Ed, Eddie, and Rosemarie played. It was a source of pride to Ann that she never missed any of Eddie's games. Sadly, Ed died at age 41 from Lou Gehrig's Disease in 1975 and she was left a young widow. In later years she met and married her second husband, Raymond Graeca, who was a great companion to her and a kind, faith-filled, stepfather to her children and grandchildren. When Ray died she was, once more, left a widow.

Soon after marriage, Ray and Ann moved to Seminole, FL and enjoyed many visits from family and friends there. Her visits from her son-in-law, Steve, were great memories she cherished and they became great buddies. Ann was a head usher at her church, a member of the Sunflower Club, and a collector of Department 56 houses which were featured in her newspaper. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren from both marriages continued to be a source of pride in all of their accomplishments.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her two husbands, Edward Sterling and Raymond Graeca, and her four siblings, Mary Tassone, Justice Nicholas D'Ambrosio, Rose Rizzo, and Attorney Lawrence D'Ambrosio.

She is survived by her children, Rosemarie "Mia" Sterling Cornelius (Steven) and Edward L. Sterling, II (Sylvia Pena); her stepchildren, Raymond Graeca, II (Mary), Donald Graeca (Kathy), and James Graeca; and her grandchildren, Bridgette Sterling Jares (Dan) and Michelle Sterling Kohl (Jack Dunn) along with their children, Rosalynn and Augustus Jares and Kelly Ann Dunn. Many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren from the Graeca side of the family mourn her passing as well.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd. on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., including a prayer vigil at 7:30 p.m. A graveside service will be celebrated by Fr. Jim Gutting, a long-time friend, on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. next to her first husband, Edward, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (section 7 ).

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org or to Amiotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, http://www.als.org

Please visit http://www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to leave a condolence on Ann's Tribute Page.