ANNINA LOMBARDI

ANNINA LOMBARDI (née Di Filippo), age 91, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Giovannino Lombardi; loving mother of Antonio, Maria, Nicolino, and Pasqualino; cherished grandmother and great-grandmother; beloved daughter of the late Nicola and Angela Di Filippo; dear aunt, and friend to many. Annina was born on October 16, 1934, in Macchiagodena, Province of Isernia, Italy, where she learned the values that would guide her throughout her life—deep faith, unconditional love for family, hard work, and the joy of gathering around the table with those she loved. On April 16, 1960, she married the love of her life, Giovannino Lombardi. Together they welcomed four children and built a life centered on faith and family. In search of new opportunities, they immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, on July 17, 1971, bringing with them hope, determination, and the rich traditions of their Italian heritage. Their years together were far too few. After Giovannino’s passing on September 28, 1977, Annina faced life’s greatest challenge with remarkable courage. She lovingly raised her four children as a single mother while working for 25 years as a cook at Lincoln West High School. Through every hardship, she remained a woman of quiet strength, unwavering faith, and endless devotion to her family. A devoted parishioner of St. Rocco Church and a longtime member of the Holy Family Sodality, Annina’s greatest gift was making everyone feel at home. Her kitchen was the heart of her home, where family, friends, neighbors, and even unexpected guests were always welcomed with a warm smile and a full plate. She was famous for her towering homemade lasagna, meatballs, rich tomato sauce, and home-canned peppers. Every meal was prepared with love because feeding others was one of the many ways she showed how deeply she cared. She found joy in tending her beautiful gardens and flowers, preserving family traditions, and surrounding those she loved with warmth, laughter, and kindness. Those who entered Annina’s home arrived as guests, but almost always left feeling like family. She also took pride in collecting scrap metal and aluminum cans, a hobby that reflected her hardworking, resourceful nature and the determination that defined her life. In her later years, Annina was blessed with the devoted love and care of her son, Pasqualino, who selflessly put much of his own life on hold to ensure she could remain surrounded by the comfort of her home and family. Their bond was unbreakable, a beautiful testament to a son’s unwavering love for his mother. To Pasqualino, she was truly the heart of his world. Annina treasured the lifelong friendship of her neighbors, Jim and Connie Bill, who shared more than 45 years of memories with the Lombardi family. She also considered Maureen one of her own, grateful for the love, compassion, and care she brought to Annina. The love they shared was one of family, not simply friendship. Annina’s legacy is one of resilience, faith, generosity, and unconditional love. To know Annina was to be fed—not only with her wonderful cooking, but with her generosity, her laughter, and her love. Her traditions will live on in every family meal, every pot of sauce lovingly stirred, every flower that blooms, and every story shared around the table. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered by all who were blessed to know her. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rocco Church, 3205 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, Friday August 7, 2026 at 11 a.m. Entombment Holy Cross Mausoleum. Family and friends received at THE RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), THURSDAY 3-7 P.M.