Anna Olga Tummarello
February 20, 1931 ~ January 11, 2026
It is with great sadness, we share the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother, Anna “Ann” Tummarello, 94 of Oakton, VA.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY during the Great Depression, Ann was the first-born child of Italian immigrants. She embraced her Southern Italian roots, studying Italian in high school and college. She understood the risks and sacrifices her parents made to make a life in this country and embraced the new opportunities living in the United States had to offer. Growing up, Ann introduced her family to modern ideas, such as girls riding bicycles, dating and having a home telephone. Ann was also the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a teaching degree from Hunter College in New York and later taught in New York City schools.
On a chance occasion commuting on the subway, Ann reconnected with a high school classmate Anthony “Tony” P. Tummarello. The couple began dating and were married for 57 years. They initially settled on Long Island to raise their family, but didn’t stay for long. Tony’s career as a civil engineer took them all over the world. The family moved five times in 15 years from New York to Holland, New Jersey, Brazil and Virginia. Ann always kept the home fires burning, especially when Tony’s job took him away from his family for months at a time.
In 1978 Tony took a job with the federal government and the family, along with Ann’s mother, relocated to Northern Virginia, where Ann lived for nearly 50 years. With her children grown, Ann became involved in the Northern Virginia community, working at Sears at Fair Oaks Mall not long after it opened and belonging to St. Mark Catholic Church.
Later on, she became a devoted grandmother, taking an active role in caring for her four granddaughters. She was involved in preschool, trips to the library, the park, ballet class and waiting for them at the bus stop – remaining a constant presence and support through major milestones, as well as life’s everyday moments – well into their adult lives.
No matter how life or the world around her changed, Ann remained a strong, quiet, steady, reliable presence in her friends and family’s lives, always there when anyone needed help, a good listener and confidante, yet could still surprise all with an unexpected zinger.
Ann remained impressively physically active well into her nineties. She was a regular at water aerobics, pilates and around her neighborhood where she would regularly walk several miles a day while stopping to chat with her neighbors and friends. She was a pillar of her family and community and will be deeply missed.
Ann leaves behind her son Anthony M. Tummarello (Cheryl) and granddaughters Jennifer (Michael), Annaliese, Marie and Kaitlyn. She is predeceased by her parents Luigi and Antoinetta, her brother Remo, her husband Anthony P. Tummarello, and her son Mark Tummarello (Lisa).
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choosing.
The family will receive friends at St. Mark Catholic Church, Vienna, VA on Saturday, February 21, 2026 beginning at 10:00 AM. Following the visitation, a Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM followed by internment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Services
Memorial Visitation: February 21, 2026 10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Mark Catholic Church
9970 Vale Road
Vienna, VA 22181
703-281-9100
http://www.stmark.org/
Memorial Service: February 21, 2026 11:00 am
St. Mark Catholic Church
9970 Vale Road
Vienna, VA 22181
703-281-9100
http://www.stmark.org/
Arlington National Cemetery at a later date
1 Memorial Drive
Arlington , VA 22211
703-938-7440
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Ann joined our Resurrection Choir( Sisters in Song) at St Mark and was a devoted member for many years.
We all feel blest that we can sing at her funeral as she goes home to her Eternal Father.
May the memories of her give you comfort at this time.
Peggy Kelly