Anna Marie Caruso Bancer, 91, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on March 28, 2016 after a long illness.

Born in Camden, New Jersey, Anna was the daughter of Pasquale and Angeline Caruso. Anna was the youngest of six children, Carmela Gentlesk, Rosie Caruso, Nicholas Caruso, Olimbio (Rocky) Caruso and Dominic G. Caruso.

Joseph H. Bancer, her loving spouse of 67 years, predeceased her in December 2014. Anna is survived by her devoted children Joanne Rossa and husband Chuck of Austin, Texas and Joseph N. Bancer and wife Rose of Pittsgrove, four grandchildren, Paul Bancer (Deanna), Angela McGuire (Kevin), Katherine Bancer and Joey Bancer, as well as two great-grandchildren, Cole Thomas McGuire and Arabella Jane Bancer. Anna's loving daughter, Janet B. Nissen, passed away July 2014 after a brave battle with cancer.

Anna was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved flowers and often spent time in her garden cultivating her roses. She enjoyed cooking, especially Italian dishes, and was an avid baker. Pizza and Pizelles could be whipped up on demand. The grandkids often took cookie supplies back to college after visits to grandmom's. She could often be found in her recliner, crochet hook in hand, working on a blanket or other creation. She made lap blankets and generously donated them to local nursing homes. Anna's favorite song was "Pennies From Heaven".

Before having her family in 1948, Anna worked at Howland Croft Sons Inc., a wool mill, located at Broadway & Jefferson Streets in Camden. She worked with her mother, Angeline, Godmother, Nancy Pizzino and her girlfriend, Jean, who introduced her to her brother Joe, a Navy man. It was love at first sight and six months later they were married at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. They made their first home on Chestnut Street in Camden and built a home in Pennsauken where they lived for 35 years before moving to Pittsgrove in 1991. Mom was a member of St. Stephen's Parish in Pennsauken and volunteered at their weekly Bingo games for many years. She was also parishioner of St. Ann's Parish in Elmer.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the Adams Funeral Home, 64 Broad St., Woodstown, NJ 08098 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 51 Broad St., Woodstown, NJ 08098. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Cherry Hill.

Donations may be made in Mrs. Bancer's memory to Bayada Hospice, 603 N. Broad Street, Suite 301, Woodbury, NJ 08096 (www.bayada.com). The family wishes to thank Pat Synder, who faithfully brought Anna communion each week and also thank the friends and caregivers from Bayada Home Health in Millville for their dedicated service to Anna over the years and especially to those who helped Anna along her final journey "home". Visitors may sign the guest book at www.adamsfuneralhome.org. May she rest forever in God's peace.



Published in Courier-Post on Mar. 31, 2016