Annette Rebecca Page

Annette Rebecca Berilla (Hess) Page was born to Anna and Michael Berilla “in the little house”— the house that was next to her maternal grandmother’s Anna Makely Katis’ “big house,” on Terrace St., North Braddock, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Little Anna” says she was named after one of the “Dionne Doll Quintuplets — Annette, Maria, Cécile, Yvonne, and Émilie.”

Annette’s parents were Michael Albert Berilla (Byesville, Ohio) and Anna Katis (Dooker’s

Hollow, Pittsburgh). Annette adored her father, Mike, a bowler —he was always smiling. Annette’s favorite place was in Byesville, at her paternal grandmother’s house with the garden to

play in, cow fields, and a “crik with a bridge” to enjoy.

The Berilla family, Mike & Anna, Thomas, Michael “Mickey+,” Annette, & David lived in the little house and the big house on Terrace Street. Tom was studying in high school, and Annette and her brother David enjoyed watching “Tom & Jerry Cartoons.” Mike worked at “Westinghouse” and Anna took care of the house, baked Slovak Nut, Apricot, and Cabbage Rolls (and had backyard chickens). Mike had peach trees in the beautiful backyard, high on a hill overlooking “Ravine St.”

When Annette was 5-years-old, at her father Mike’s “Slovak Club” — she was tap-dancing on the table top and singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” — until Anna came and took her home. There was also the “infamous banana popsicle incident” between Annette and Anna. Little Annette enjoying playing dress up with Frankie and Babe, sledding down Terrace St. in the snow, and going to dances her mother Anna would organize. Anna was always playing pinocle and Bingo.

Annette learned to swim at the beautiful outdoor “Blue Dell Pool” in Pittsburgh. After graduating

St. Thomas High School, in Braddock, she was offered a scholarship for Carnegie Mellon University — Fine Arts and Theatre —but Annette was not encouraged to go to college. Instead of attending college, Annette got her first job as a telephone switchboard operator at Bell Telephones. She had a wonderful boyfriend, Mike J. Estocin, but Mike left to join the military and was later awarded the “Medal of Honor” for his sacrifice in Vietnam.

One day Annette rode a city bus to the regional airport ticket counter in Pittsburgh and got

herself a job as a Jet Engine Airplane Flight Attendant, and moved up to Supervisor, at “Capital

Airlines” in the 1950s. Annette’s roommates were multiple flight attendants living together at a tiny apartment in Murray Hill, Manhattan, New York City. Young Annette flew all the time, traveling all over Europe — especially Rome and Berlin.

Annette watched the original Broadway Production of “West Side Story” and bought the record album. Annette met her husband, Harry Hess, one night in New York City. There was a party in her apartment building, and Harry wanted to know where he could go to Catholic church in the morning. This impressed Annette.

Harry had served in the Korean War in the USMC. He had also worked in hotels in Las Vegas.

He was trying to get into the photocopier business in New York City at the time. He needed a

place to sleep the night of the party — he ended up sleeping on the couch in Annette’s shared

apartment. Shortly after that, they decided to get engaged to be married. They had a long

engagement and Annette got to know Harry’s family by flying to Chicago and spending time

with his sisters.

Annette and Harry’s Catholic wedding took place married at St. Helens — in North Braddock, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Harry got a little upset that day because he didn’t understand Slovak tradition very well. He didn’t understand why Annette’s family kept dancing with his new wife. Annette’s uncle Johnny played the marimba and he had a band. The family (play-acted) like they would not let Annette go away with Harry on their honeymoon together in Seattle, Washington for the 1962 World’s Fair.

Harry and Annette settled in Chicago, and had three children, Mary (Photographer/Stage

Technician/Writer), Philip (Photographer/Artist/Media Producer), and Thomas —“World-Class

Surfer,” long-distance runner, self-taught chef, wine sommelier, and his family, (Karla) Ava and Ben.

Annette’s husband Harry was a Corporate Salesman, he had a job at Xerox Corporation for many

years, became a Stockbroker, and the family eventually settled in Jacksonville, Florida.

After 16 years of marriage, Harry and Annette divorced.

Annette found new love —Symphony Conductor Willis Page — and they were married for many

years. Willis had a son and daughter, Steve; Sylvia, (Simon) with 3 children, Henry, Oliver, Amy, and the family grew.

Harry met Elaine Estabrook and they were married for (22) years before Harry passed away. Elaine and Annette became very close. Elaine Hess is very much a part of our lives.

Annette’s brother Tom Berilla (Mechanical Engineer) married Marcy Kubik and they had seven children, fifteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Ellen Berilla (Jack Carmody), with Felicity, Jeanette+, Thomas (Christopher Burns).

Paul Berilla (Eileen), Elizabeth Kavenaugh (Matt), son Hudson; Michael (Erica) with Karina, Benjamin, and Elena.

Mary Berilla Fitzpatrick (Mike), Glenn, engaged to Katie Lee; Kelly Turecek Fitzpatrick (Stan Turecek); daughter Teagan Jones; Anne (with friend Mark Watrobe)

Monica Berilla Greenbaum (Gary), with Dan (Daisy) sons Cosimo and Rocco: Kevin+, Matthew

Susan Berilla Morgan (Ed) with Emily

Carol Berilla Hirsch (Artist/Homemaker) married (Eric), with Gaby, Jessica

Claire Berilla Fritzringer (Steve) with Hannah “Phoenix,” John

Annette’s brother David “Dave” Berilla (Associate Director for Employer Relations —University of Delaware Career Services) married Denise Soukup (Assistant Dean, University of Delaware, Earth, Ocean and Environment), their daughters Anna (Jamie) Nutter, Ava, Sarah and Quinn; and Jenny Berilla Egan and Matthew Egan with Shawn, Devon, and Liam.

Annette, a “people person,” worked as a Real Estate Broker with “Coldwell Banker” and

“Arvida” for many years. She loved Opera Music, acting at “Player’s-by-the-Sea” in

Jacksonville Beach, and at the “Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre in Atlantic ABET” at the

“Adele Grage Cultural Center.” Annette gave speeches in “Toastmasters,” loved to paint with

oils, plant flowers, she played tennis, and was a Lector in her local Catholic Church.

She once took a sea voyage to Europe. Annette and her son, Tom traveled to Istanbul and Jerusalem, where Annette rode a camel. She went skiing in Colorado. She traveled with her daughter, Mary to watch the Grand Operas “Madame Butterfly” and “Macbeth” performed at the Vienna Opera House. Annette played “Aunt March” in “Little Women” and her last starring performance was as frightening “Fruma Sera” in a local production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in 2012. She also sang in the chorus.

Annette moved in with her daughter, Mary in Jacksonville, in 2013. Annette remembered all her

pups, dogs she fondly cared for, “Elmer, Pepper, Snoopy, Snowy, Oscar, and Zorro Houdini.”

Annette’s favorite cat is her calico “Slinky,” and “Mushy” was another beloved feline.

In later years, Annette’s so many good friends were a big part of her life, Giki Gomes, Jean Huffstetler, Glenda Southern, June McGrath, Marci Matz (Bill), Mary Ann Frohwein, Carson Merrie Bailie, Mary Lassiter, and her beloved Kitty Williams (her YMCA exercise partner).

Annette regularly attended Mass at: St. Paul’s in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, St. Paul’s

Riverside, and St. Matthews Catholic Church in Murray Hill.

Fr. Pradeep Aerthayil, CMI of St. Matthews performed “Last Rites.”

Annette will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Rest in Peace.