Author: Sabrina Wilson

It’s a sad moment for all our community,  Anna Maria Pierini left us.

Anna Maria always felt her most fulfilling blessing was to be an Italian born in America.  She was born in 1949, in Reno Nevada form a family natives of Lucca, who kept the Italian language and cultures strong in the home. At age 4, she flew on Pan Am airlines for her first trip to Italy.

After graduating from Dominican College, she began her first career of 19 years with Irwin Memorial Blood Banks in Marin and San Francisco, and the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) in the East Bay.  In 1996 she became the tenth Executive Director of the Italian Community Services (ICS), dedicated to the Italian Community since 1916. It was to this position that she brought her organizational skills, management style, and Italian heritage. She felt deep pride in her work there.  Under Anna Maria’s leadership, ICS became a national model for Italian non-profits.

Among all her recognition for an ourstanding career, Maria was recognized as Citizen of the Year by UNICO (the largest Italian American Services Agency in the USA),  awarded, in Lucca with the Medaglia d’Oro (Gold Medal)  for being an Italian who has distinguished herself abroad.  In 2014, she was awarded a Certificate of Honor by the City and County of San Francisco, recognizing her dedication and commitment to serving the older populations and those with disabilities.  Additionally, Il Cenacolo,  recognized her as the 2017 Woman of the Year.

She participated on many boards over the years including the California Blood Bank Society, On Lok, and the Advisory Council to the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services where she served two terms as Council President. She was a polished media spokesperson, well-known and beloved in her San Francisco Italian communities.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic no services are planned.  Donations may be made to: Dominican University  dominican.edu/makeagift   or to The Santa Venetia Marsh Preserve at  http://www.marincountyparks.org/about-us/donations