Annina (Cotrone) Wilson, 86, of Manitowoc, WI, passed away peacefully, and is safe in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was born in Chicago, IL, in 1938 to Nunzio and Loretta Cotrone, the fifth of nine children. The family moved to Hancock, WI, in 1943. She graduated from Plainfield High School in 1955 and graduated in 1961 from Marion College (Indiana Wesleyan University) in Marion, IN. She taught elementary school for 39 years, most of those years in the Manitowoc Public Schools, and retired in 1999.

Annina met the love of her life, Jay W. Wilson, in 1958 when she looked down from the choir loft in church and saw him. They married in 1961. They have three children, Jena (Dale) Wilson Lawson of Eau Claire, WI; Janette (Todd) Wilson Shoemaker of Verona, WI; and Jon (Dawn) Wilson of Moorseville, NC. She has six grandchildren, Jenessa (Jason) Lawson Stromberger of Eau Claire, WI; Jory (Emma) Lawson of Fond du Lac, WI; Haley Shoemaker of Chicago, IL; Cameron Shoemaker of Milwaukee, WI; Mia Wilson of Moorseville, NC; Cora Wilson of Moorseville, NC; and five great-grandchildren.

She is survived by siblings, Carl Cotrone (Austin, TX), Dan Cotrone (White Fish Bay, WI), Kathy Dix, (Wausau, WI) and David Cotrone (Hamburg, WI). She is preceded in death by her parents, Nunzio and Loretta (Nanna) Cotrone, and siblings Rosette Cotrone Brunner, Nunzio Cotrone, Mitchell Cotrone, and Carmella Cotrone.

Annina was an active member of her church, teaching Sunday school as a deaconess and singing in the choirs. She loved to travel, crochet, sew, and garden. Twenty-four years of retirement was filled with travel throughout the United States and Europe. Meeting her father's family in Italy was a highlight. Family gatherings were filled with home-cooked meals and the decorations for each season. Annina loved to read and work jigsaw puzzles in her spare time. She left an imprint with each person she knew and loved.

Every night before falling asleep Annina and Jay would cuddle face to face, say "I love you" and kiss goodnight. On Annina's last night on the hospital bed she would lay on her left side as he sat beside her holding her hand. It was realized that she was looking for her love of 63 years to snuggle into. When memories were mentioned she would shake her head and squeeze hands to indicate she was listening. Although she is dearly missed, we are filled with joy knowing she is in the arms of Jesus.

Cremation has occurred at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Faith Church, 2201 S. 42nd St., Manitowoc, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made in Annina's name to:

Riverside Bible Camp, Summer Camp Scholarships, 6355 County Rd DD, Amherst, WI 54406

www.riversidebiblecamp.org/donate