Obituary of Ann Farina

Ann Farina passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 2, 2021 at her son’s home with her family by her side. She was 103 years old.

Ann Farina was born Anna May Belfance on June 10, 1917 in Tribes Hill, New York. Her father, Charles Belfance, was the son of German immigrants and her mother, Etta Harris, was the child of a British father and an American mother. Ann was the 11th of 13 children. Ann attended the Green Corners School — a one-room school house in Glenville – until 8th grade.  At the age of 14, she left her family’s farm and moved in with the Lurie family on Guy Park Avenue in Amsterdam to work as a live-in housekeeper in order to attend High School. As a result of this sacrifice, she was the first in her family to graduate high school, and after receiving her diploma from Wilber H Lynch High School she went to the St. Mary’s School of Nursing. St. Mary’s sent her to various hospitals and institutions to learn nursing skills. After finishing nursing school, she received her nurse’s cap and worked for Dr. Casano in Amsterdam, helping him make house calls and aiding the city’s sick.

Ann was working as a nurse when she met her husband, Antonio “Cheech” Farina, a few days after the end of World War II. The first time she saw him, he was in his Army uniform at the dance held at the Amsterdam Hotel and they remained together until his passing in 1981.

Ann’s next career endeavor was being beautician. Ann attended the Royal Academy of Beauty School on State Street in Schenectady. After graduation, Ann opened up her own beauty parlor in 1952 and retired in 1981. During that time she also served as the President of the Beautician’s Association in Amsterdam. Ann was also a past commander of the Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary Chapter 100. Ann also was a dance instructor. Ann took lessons from Ray Salerno of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Amsterdam and, excelling, was asked to remain as an instructor. She continued to be a passionate dancer throughout her life.Having been widowed from the love of her life, Ann married her partner William “Bill” Tuchorski in 1999 who predeceased her in 2011.  At 103 years old, Ann enjoyed going to breakfast every day with her son. She was lovingly known as “Mamma Farina” and “Grandma Farina” to the many friends she visited with every day for breakfast. 

Ann’s family would like to thank Dr. George Weis for “keeping her going” and genuinely caring about her.

She is survived by her son Frank (Rosalie) Farina, her five grandchildren, Michael (Antonina) Weil, Karen Weil, Thomas Weil, Peter (Filomena) Farina, James Farina and her great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Farina and her daughters, Kathleen Anna “Kay” Weil and Dixie Carol Deidrich. She is also predeceased by her 12 brother and sisters.

Funeral services will be held in the Spring at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Amsterdam. The dates and specifics are yet to be determined due to restrictions related to Covid. Ann’s family requests, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in her memory to the Amsterdam Office of the Aging, 135 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.