Anita Clemente

Anita Clemente (née Lalli) was born in Carovilli, Italy on July 2, 1921, and has died after a short illness. She immigrated to the United States in 1929 with her Mom and sister. Her Dad had immigrated six years earlier, and they joined him in Akron, Ohio. She lived most of her life in Akron and her later years in Granville, Ohio. Anita graduated from North High School and the University of Akron. Before her children were born, she worked as a social worker for the Family Services in Akron and the Outpatient Department of Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was active in the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Medical Auxiliary. She was instrumental in establishing Meals on Wheels for people in the Akron area.

Anita was a gracious, loving, and inquisitive woman. She was interested in education, the arts, music, literature, and history. She created stunning crewel and appliqué works. From her lyrical welcoming “hello” to her thoughtful and spirited conversations and the lingering hugs of good-bye, she made you feel that you were the most important person.  

She often said that one of the greatest events was coming to the United States. It changed the trajectory of her life and the lives of her children. She wrote in her family history, “I am impressed by the success of the Nuosci and Lalli grandchildren and the great grandchildren ... All these accomplished young people prove to me that if a contadini (peasants) is given an opportunity he or she will be successful.”

Anita was devoted to her family and friends. She raised a family of five rambunctious children of whom she was quite proud. She stated, “The love I feel for each one flows in my body.” She is preceded in death by her husband, Bartholomew Clemente, son, John Clemente, and daughter, Martha Clemente. She cherished her siblings and their spouses Lidia Schlosser (Tom Schlosser, deceased), Tony Lalli (deceased) (Donna), Fred Lalli (Bobbie), and her many nieces and nephews, and Jeff Hall, her “adopted” son. She leaves behind her daughters Rebecca Clemente (Bob Blomeyer) and Anne Clemente (Milton Dunlap), her sons Marc Clemente (Ginny Clemente) and Greg Clemente (Elly Hann), and the grandchildren David Blomeyer (Kalpana Rana Blomeyer), Stephen Blomeyer, Matthew Dunlap, Andrew Dunlap, Zachary Clemente, and Rachel Clemente.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Anita to Meals on Wheels America https://ams.mealsonwheelsamerica.org, Smile Train https://www.smiletrain.org/, or League of Woman Voters https://www.lwv.org/.

A private graveside service was held at Holy Cross Cemetery. A celebration of Anita’s life will happen when COVID-19 restrictions on gathering have been lifted.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anita Clemente, please visit our floral store.