DUDLEY – Anna (Cutitar) Tanca, 96, died Thursday, February 26, 2026 in the Life Care Center of Auburn after a period of declining health. Her husband of 62 years, Christopher P. Tanca, died in 2014.
She leaves a son, Michael C. Tanca and his wife Heidi of Tariffville, CT; 5 grandchildren, Christopher Tanca and his wife Silvia Fumagalli of Seregno, Italy, Leslie Tanca and her husband Ken Binick of Greenwich, CT, Lauren Peciaro and her husband Dan of Uxbridge, Leigh Vaughn and her husband Ryan of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Mark Tanca and his wife Rie of South Windsor, CT; 9 great-grandchildren, Livia, Lawton, Leo, Ava, Jameson, Amelia, Violet, Vittoria and Camelia; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her other son William Tanca in 2003, by her brother Nicholas Cutitar, and by her sisters Aura Brubeck and Mary Martucci.
She was born in Providence on April 15, 1929 and raised there, a daughter of George and Ida (Geanacou) Cutitar and completed the course of business studies from Mount Pleasant High School in 1947. She moved to Dudley in 1951.
Mrs. Tanca worked as an inspector at the American Optical Company in Southbridge for over 20 years before retiring.
She was a member of Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church in Southbridge and of the Webster Order of the Eastern Star. She loved spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, March 7, in the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:30 in the funeral home prior to the service. Burial in West Thompson Cemetery will be held privately.