Anastasia Veronica Rodia

Anastasia Veronica Rodia, 101, of Milford, CT, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2023, in her home surrounded by loving family by her side. Early that morning, the sun rose, and the clouds moved apart and ushered her to heaven.

Anastasia was born on May 26, 1922, to Edward Mahoney and Julia King in Bank Head, Newfoundland. She was the matriarch of her family, and leaves a legacy of daughters, sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and neighborhood children. She was a very giving and loving sole, adored children, loved to write poetry, and woke up every morning singing. She was loved by all. She was everyone’s Nana. All her grandchildren loved to stay at her house. Every weekend she had a house full of children. The children made her smile and kept her young. Her famous saying was “let it roll off your shoulder”.

In 1927 at the age of 5 years old, her mother passed away and she was adopted, and moved from her home in Newfoundland to live with her aunt in New York. In 1940, Anastasia met her first husband, William (Bill) Turbert, in New Haven, CT. Anastasia and Bill went on to have 8 children. She traveled with her husband in the military, and lived in several states including California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and ending back in Connecticut. She then married her second husband, Benjamin Miller Ross Rodia, born in Province of Avellino, Italy, and had 2 more children.

Anastasia loved to play the daily numbers. She also loved to go shopping with her daughters, Veronica, Patricia, Linda, Theresa, and Stacy, and with her son Dennis. If you called and she wasn’t home, you could always find her at Kohl’s or Boscov’s or years before at Bradlees. One of her favorite outings was the casino. She loved her slot machines. It was a tradition to take her to the casino on her birthday.

Anastasia always wore a dress, high heel shoes, and topped it off with a coat, brooch, and matching beret. Always put together. She loved being around family and adored her grandchildren, and this is one of her poems:

“Blessed”

Tho I am a Nana

Wrinkled and old

To my little grandchildren

I’m more precious than gold.

They kiss me and hug me

and make me feel loved.

So, thanks to my children

I’m blessed from above.

For over 40 years, she lived with her son, Dennis Turbert. He was her caretaker, son, and best friend. Her first daughter had her middle name, and her last daughter had her first name. Along with Dennis and her special granddaughter, Cheri, that she lovingly referred to as “My Cherie Amour” enabled her to stay in the comfort of her daughter’s home, Stacy Blake, for the last months of her life. It was done with true love and compassion that is beyond words.

Anastasia was predeceased by both of her husbands, Bill and Miller; her childhood sweetheart, Benjamin Gulinello; her first two born sons, William and Ronald Turbert; her son-in-law, Willie McCallister; her two sisters, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Penney and Bridget (Bridy) Leonard; and her brothers Fred and Bill Mahoney.

She is survived by 3 sons, 5 daughters, 26 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren. Robert (Bobby) Turbert and Helen, Veronica McCallister, Daniel Turbert and Chrystine, Dennis Turbert, Patricia Lindner and John, Linda Fagan and Donald, Theresa Hayse and Steven, and Anastasia Blake. Her grandchildren, William (Bill) Turbert, Rodney Turbert and Julie, Christine Wiley and Emery, Willie McCallister and Debbie, Cheri Vandroff and Stephen, Matthew McCallister, Mack McCallister and Erika, Michael McCallister and Patrisa, Veronica McCallister, Amber McCallister and Dave, Donald Fagan and Jennifer, Christopher Fagan and Sarah, Douglas Fagan, Thomas Turbert and Melissa, Jenifer Ekman and Erik, David Andersen and Jessica, Joseph Andersen and Megan, Tricia Turbert and Ryan, RonnieAnn Turbert and Lance, Michelle Roman and Carlos, Michael Rodia and Rei, Charles Blake and Amber, Shawn, Adam Hayse, Brandon Hayse, Daniel Turbert and Erica. Her great grandchildren, Monica Yearwood, Moses Yearwood, Jasmine Yearwood, Alyssa Smith, Celia Turbert, Zachary Turbert, Vincent Turbert, Tara Turbert, Christopher Fagan, Natalie Fagan, Aniyah McCallister, Anthony McCallister, Shiane McCallister, Justin McCallister, Jade McCallister, Stephen Vandroff, Seth Vandroff, Ethan Ekman, Evan Ekman, Chloe McCallister, Jayden McCallister, Michael McCallister, Jr. Arianna McCallister, Chase McCallister, Jayden McCallister, Leonardo Planco, Xyla Roman, Caleb Andersen, Aaliyah Andersen, Kaiden Andersen, Adelyn Hibbard, Brielle Hibbard, Emily Fagan, Willow McCallister, Maizy Turbert, Steely Turbert, Khaleesi Wojtasik, Logan Wojtasik, Lance Wojtasik, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Hospital, an organization Anastasia felt strongly about.