Anne Santacroce Of Sag Harbor Dies At Age 91

Anne Santacroce

Anne Santacroce of Sag Harbor died at her home on March 29. She was 91.

Born in Brooklyn on August 7, 1920 to Antonina (Rizzo) and James Tedesco, she attended PS91, Erasmus Hall High School, Prospect Heights School of Nursing and New York Postgraduate Hospital. After graduation, she remained at Prospect Heights Hospital working in the operating room until 1943, at which time she joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, and was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. After completing basic training, Mrs. Santacroce traveled to Scotland on the Queen Mary and often told stories about being seasick
for the entire voyage.

She served the Corps in England, France and Belgium and was on the front lines attending to the wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day. She was promoted to 1st lieutenant and received many medals, including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with three bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, and Honorable Service World War II lapel button. In 2004, Mrs. Santacroce was awarded the Medal of Liberty from the French government, the first woman to receive the honor.

Upon leaving service to her country, Mrs. Santacroce returned to Brooklyn and continued working at Prospect Heights Hospital before moving to Southampton and working at Southampton Hospital.

In 1950, she married Frank Santacroce, and moved to Sag Harbor and the home they built. The couple raised four children, Peter, Michael, Susan and Catherine. In Sag Harbor, she was an active member of the American Legion Chelberg-Battle Post, as well as the Columbiettes, St. Andrew’s Church and the Sag Harbor Ladies Village Improvement Society. She will be remembered for her love of needlework, especially knitting. Many babies of family and friends were kept warm wearing the beautiful sweaters she made and many homes were made more joyous with the Christmas ornaments she created over the years. Survivors will remember her kind spirit, her willingness to lend a hand when needed, and will always be reminded of her when eating a pizzelle. She was most proud of her Italian heritage, her roots in Brooklyn and her beloved Brooklyn Dodgers.

Mrs. Santacroce is survived by her four children, Peter of Hampton Bays, Michael and his wife Colleen of Sag Harbor, Susan and her husband Kevin Madaville of Newfane, and Catherine and her husband Harold Worwetz of Bridgehampton; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Loretta and her husband Caesar Bianco; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Frank Santacroce, two sisters and five brothers.

A funeral was held on Monday, April 2, at St. Andrew’s Church in Sag Harbor, followed by interment in the church cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor.

Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or St. Andrew’s Church, 122 Division Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963