In Memoriam: Anna Marie Garippo Sciaraffa ’49

May 2, 1928–October 11, 2020



Anna Marie Garippo Sciaraffa ’49 passed away peacefully on October 11 surrounded by her loving family. After graduating from Rosary College with a degree in music, Anna Marie became a Chicago Public Schools teacher and married Anthony (Tony) Sciaraffa in 1952. She later became Rosary’s first lay director of alumnae relations, overseeing what would ultimately become the Annual Trustee Benefit Concert and Gala and the Children’s Christmas Party. Anna Marie subsequently served as a member of the Board of Trustees.



Anna Marie and Tony had seven children. Several of their children and grandchildren attended Rosary/Dominican, including her son Robert ’78; granddaughters Christina Montana Marcantelli ’01 and Dianna Sciaraffa ’13; and grandsons Anthony Sciaraffa ’16 and Stephen Sciaraffa ’18. Her legacy at Dominican will live on through the Anthony and Anna Marie Garippo Sciaraffa Scholarship and the Robert L. Sciaraffa Memorial Scholarship.



Before her passing, Anna Marie reflected on a life-long relationship with her beloved alma mater:

I was given length of years and a wealth of loving relationships to fill then. The precious gift of faith that sustains me was passed on to me through generations of family. It's been nurtured sacramentally, by my St. Giles Parish family since childhood, and intellectually by my beloved alma mater, Rosary of Dominican University, to this day.

Inspiring teachers, preachers, theologians—especially the gifted women I've known personally or through their writings—expanded and shaped my image of God. My eyes were opened to the great mystery of Life, Death, and Resurrection unfolding in all the dyings and risings in everyday life, and in all creation. It's the new life we see in Spring after the dead of Winter; or the embrace of reconciliation after a bitter argument. It's Easter Sunday following Good Friday over and over again.

Peace and joy,

Anna Marie