Anna Josephine Arnowitz

Anna “Anne” Josephine Arnowitz (nee DeSpirito), age 95, of Kinnelon, NJ, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025. She was born to Joseph and Anna DeSpirito on June 7, 1930 in Paterson, NJ and as the baby of the family had four older siblings: Mary, Nick, Phil, and Catherine.  She spent her early years working in her parent’s pastry shop, Caruso’s, on Market Street, Paterson, along with her family. Anne graduated from Central High School in Paterson and continued her education at Paterson State College (William Paterson University) where she earned her Master of Education degree in teaching. Her first job was in the Clifton Elementary School System and eventually landing a position at Ryerson School in Lincoln Park, NJ where she taught grades 2 through 5.  Anne had a love for learning and valued education and later became a Learning Disability Specialist where she continued to work in the Lincoln Park School System until she retired in 1994.

Shortly after High School, Anne met the love of her life, Marty, in Paterson, and they were married for 32 years until his passing in 1987. They were soulmates, and loved entertaining, spending time with family, traveling and were extraordinary dancers. The struggles they endured uniting the two Paterson families—Catholic Italians on one side and Eastern European Jews on the other—was a testament to their love. They began their life together in an apartment in Clifton, NJ and purchased their first home in Lincoln Park, NJ, where their only child, Glenn, was born, and finally moved to Kinnelon, NJ in 1969. 

Anne possessed a positive outlook on life and always saw the good in others. One of her favorite sayings was “This too Shall Pass”, when faced with adversity. Her generosity touched countless lives as she donated to numerous charities and volunteered for many organizations. Her faith was a fundamental part of her life, and she was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of the Magnificat in Kinnelon. Anne was a very social person and had a passionate curiosity about people and loved to socialize. Travel was one of her great joys and she explored the world with wonder and appreciation visiting Europe, Hawaii, Asia, South America, Africa and Australia, collecting artifacts from each adventure.

She was very active in her community as well and was a board member of the Kinnelon Friends of the Library, and of her Italian American club. Anne was also on the committees for her elementary, high school and college reunions. She was a member of many book clubs, and a long-time member of the “Birthday Girls”– a group of over 25 friends who celebrated monthly birthdays with long afternoon lunches. She exercised, aqua-sized, walked, and enjoyed the theatre, opera, movies and was an avid reader. Anne was a talented chef, and her specialty was anything Italian. Her gravy with meatballs was a Sunday staple.

Anne loved life and possessed a youthful spirit, regularly commenting that her age was “just a number”. She had a wonderful fashion sense as well and was always dressed perfectly for any occasion.

Without a doubt, the biggest joy in Anne’s life was her two granddaughters, Kara and Lisa. She was their “Nonnie” and showered them with endless love and affection. Her serenading “Happy Birthday” phone calls each year were legendary and just one example of her youthful spirit and playfulness.

Anne is predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Anna, her husband, Marty, her sisters Mary, Catherine, brothers Phil and Nick and daughter-in-law, Suzanne. She is survived by her son, Glenn John Arnowitz and wife, Colleen, granddaughter Kara and her husband, Matt McKevitt and great-grandchildren, Lily and River, and also granddaughter, Lisa Arnowitz and partner, Andre Woods, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

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In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.