Obituary of Annamaria Visich

Annamaria Visich was born near Lecce, Italy, in 1925, the second of seven children and daughter of an Italian Army officer. In 1949, in Rome, she married Sergio Visich, a former Yugoslav Army officer. The couple’s daughter, Ljubica (Lou), was born in 1952 in Italy. The family moved to the United States in late 1953, living first in New York City then settling in the Washington, D.C. area in 1954. Sergio worked as Yugoslav language editor for the Voice of America. Annamaria, a homemaker, worked for a number of years as a French teacher for the FLES program in Prince Georges County, Maryland. The couple developed a large circle of friends, many of whom benefited from Annamaria’s expertise as a seamstress. Following her husband’s death in 1987, Annamaria began to travel extensively overseas, with her friends and Italian siblings and with her daughter, son-in-law and grandson — including trips to Turkey, Russia (where she saw the last May Day Parade in Moscow), Ireland, Central America, a Mediterranean cruise, a Danube river cruise, and her all-time favorite destination, Egypt (where she rode on a camel). Annamaria — known as “Granny” to many — was a natural dancer, and thus was a hit at weddings — most recently in May 2019. After a long and eventful life, filled with countless friendships and adventures, Annamaria passed away peacefully on December 3, 2019. She is survived by her daughter, Lou, her son-in-law, Alden Abbott, her grandson Roger Abbott and his wife Margaret, and her two great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Michael (on whom she doted). She also leaves behind two brothers and sisters-in-law in Italy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. John the Beloved Church in McLean, Virginia, on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 1 pm, with a reception immediately following at Cafe’ Oggi in McLean. There will be a visitation for friends and family on Friday, December 6, from 5 to 9 pm, at Advent Funeral Services, 7211 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.