Angelina “Ann” Ege, also affectionately known as “Annie” and “Tootsie” to her friends and family, passed away peacefully July 7, 2025, at the remarkable age of 101.
Born Aug. 16, 1923, in the bustling city of New York, Ann was the proud eldest daughter of Italian immigrants. Her early years were filled with the warmth of family and the vibrant culture of her heritage. In 1950, her family relocated to Belford, and it was there that she began to plant her roots. Ann’s life blossomed further when she and her second husband moved to Middletown in 1968, where she would spend the rest of her days in her cherished forever home.
Ann’s life was marked by her dedication to her family and her entrepreneurial spirit. She spent her younger years caring for her siblings and her ailing mother, mastering the arts of cooking, sewing and household management. These skills served her well when she and her husband opened Ann’s Delicatessen in 1960. For 17 years, Ann poured her heart into the deli, greeting customers by name and serving up her legendary submarine sandwiches, holiday platters and Italian specialties. Her love for her work and her community was evident in every interaction, and her deli became a beloved local institution.
After the passing of her husband Fred in 1985, Ann continued to embody the spirit of independence. She lived alone in her forever home, maintaining her impeccable standards of self-care and presentation. Even at the age of 100, Ann’s daily routine included doing her hair, applying makeup and dressing flawlessly, a testament to her unwavering dignity and zest for life.
Ann’s interests were as varied as they were joyful. She relished her trips to Florida and Texas with her sister and brother-in-law, basking in the warmth of both the sun and family. At home, she found solace on her sunporch, feeding the birds and bunnies. She often listened to Big Band music and reminisced about seeing those bands firsthand in the nightclubs of New York City during the 1940s. Her hands were rarely still, as she enjoyed knitting, crocheting and painting by numbers. She spent quiet time at home watching old “cowboy” films and Shirley Temple movies. She always looked forward to the holiday season when she would visit her nephew and family for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ann is survived by a host of beloved nieces, nephews and their families, who will carry on her legacy of love, kindness and friendliness. Her life was a tapestry of rich experiences, woven with the threads of hard work, family and the simple pleasures that make a life well-lived. Ann’s memory will be cherished and her presence deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her story is one of resilience, joy and an unwavering commitment to the things that matter most – family, friends and community.
A memorial gathering will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. July 22 at Scott & Kedz Home for Funerals. A service will conclude the evening. Ann will be laid to rest with her husband Fred at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.
The article originally appeared in the July 17 – 23, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
