Agnes T. Fanelli

Agnes Teresa Fanelli (nee Bolan) was born in Kilmarnock, Scotland in June of 1923. She emigrated to the United States with her parents, Sarah (nee Campbell) and William Bolan, and two brothers, John, and Arthur in 1928, eventually settling in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia.As a young girl, Agnes enjoyed keeping her brothers in line, knitting, and tatting lace, and honoring her Scottish heritage through Highland dancing. She often competed in local Highland festivals dancing the Highland Fling & Sword Dance with her cousin, Sadie.After high school, Agnes began working at the Joseph H. Bromley Lace Company where she met and fell in love with a young office clerk, Joe Fanelli. As the story goes, upon seeing Agnes for the first time, Joe told his workmates, "That's the girl I'm going to marry" - and he did!! Joe and Agnes were married in early 1943, and later that year, welcomed their first child, Joseph Jr. With the advent of WWII, Joe joined the Army and the young family moved to North Carolina for a short time before Joe was shipped out to fight in the European theater; and Agnes and young Joey returned to Philadelphia to live with Joe's parents. During that time Agnes learned to cook many of her husband's favorite Italian dishes. The family story goes that when Joe and Agnes were deciding which ethnic traditions to foster in their home, the matter was eventually settled by what cuisine the family preferred to eat - Italian (Lasagna) OR Scotch (Haggis)? ... Italian won hands down and the rest is history ....After the war, the young family moved to Lawncrest and became active members of St. Williams Parish. Joe and Agnes, both devout Catholics, participated in many church activities, including the Men's Club and the women's Sodality. The family also grew with the addition of twins, Joyce and Robert, and son, James. A social and affable couple, Joe and Agnes had no shortage of friends and family, gathered from work, bowling, PTA, Boy Scouts, and always, the Church. The Fanelli's lived In Lawncrest for 40+ years, before selling their house and moving to Gloria Dei Estates, then joining St. Cecilia's Parish in 1999. There, Joe and Agnes continued to be involved and volunteered for many things. By far, their most favored activity was singing in the Gloria Dei Glee Club. Joe was often a featured soloist, and with Agnes, sang duets such as "When My Old Wedding Ring Was New" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart".Their Faith, always a central part of their lives, was sustained by attending regular services at St. Cecilia's until driving became difficult. Then Communion was brought to them twice weekly - on Wednesdays by Dennis Friel, a deacon from Resurrection of Our Lord, and on Sundays by Fran Diamond, a Eucharistic Lay Minister (ELM) from St. Cecilia's. Agnes often planned and scheduled daily family phone calls based on the Mass and Rosary broadcasts on EWTN. If someone mistakenly called at 7:05 pm, she would say, "I can't talk now, the Mass is on." Over the last few years as her short-term memory lapsed, Agnes found it hard to distinguish between re-runs and new broadcasts. She was especially fond of Mother Angelica and that "nice, young guest priest, Bishop Fulton Sheen." (It should be noted that Mother Angelica and Bishop Sheen died in 2016 and 1979, respectively.) Yes, Joe and Agnes were inseparable and theirs was a True Love story. They were ultimately parted when Joe passed away in 2015 at the age of 93. Despite the loss of Joe, with the love and support of her 4 children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, Agnes continued to enjoy 6 additional years of family birthdays, gatherings, and holiday celebrations before being called home to Our Lord and re-joining her beloved Joe this past Monday, August 16th at the age of 98. It has been said that the measure of a life well lived is a life well loved. You were Well Loved, Agnes, and we will miss you, but our hearts are lightened knowing you and Dad (aka Pop-pop Joe) are together and watching over us forever. Rest In Peace.Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Monday August 23, 2021, 8:15-9:15 AM at John F. Fluehr and Sons 3301 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19149 followed by a funeral mass 10:00 AM at St. Cecilia Church 535 Rhawn St. Philadelphia, PA 19111. Rite of committal Sunset Memorial Park.