Ann Ponturo

Born in Nashville, Tennessee on April 29, 1925

Departed on October 17, 2019 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Ann Ponturo-Age 94, of Nashville, passed October 17, 2019.
Ann Teresa Hansom was born in Nashville April 29, 1925 to Thomas Hansom and Marie Cleary Hansom. She was the third child with two older brothers, Thomas and Jack and then a third brother, Bobby - the youngest. They grew up in a modest home near Vanderbilt - Ann explained how her father, something of a jack of all trades added a room to the house for her as the only daughter. Ann grew up in Catholic schools attending St. Cecillia Academy, an all girl's academy. She loved theater and music and hikes and picnics in the park. Tragically, her father died of heart failure when she was 14 years old. Her mother Marie went to work, downsizing the family home and ultimately working in Washington DC as an executive assistance to the Secretary of Labor. Ann worked in a bank and did her part attending USO events to keep up the morale during World War II By the end of the war something unexpected happened - Ann had a blind date with a member of the US Navy. A first generation Italian boy sent to Vanderbilt for Officer training. She thought he was kind of boring and he was a Yankee! But a spark was lit that night that continued to burn for 41 years. Don W. Ponturo and Ann Hansom were married in the Nashville Cathedral in June 1950. After marriage Ann and Don moved to New Jersey while Don finished his Masters at Columbia in New York City. Don was very successful managing Labor Relations for RCA and NBC in New York and Ann learned to mingle and enjoy those Yankees. She was also immersed in Italian American immigrant culture and learned to make meatballs along with her mother's mac n' cheese. But Nashville was always in her heart and when Don retired in the late 80s they built a home in Nashville. Don sadly contracted lung cancer and died in September 1991, but Ann continued to express her love for her home town and happily was even able to reconnect with Nashville school friends. In the end Ann could look back at a unique life with wonderful connections to her brother's children in Nashville and Memphis, new friends and neighbors in Nashville and with sons who traveled East, Midwest and West to find success, and four grandchildren, Grace, Will, Joe and Hannah, with the added blessing of a great grandchild on the way. A life filled with grace and love and finally a peaceful end she so deserved and finally reunion with her dear parents, brothers and husband.
Preceded in death by her husband, Don Ponturo. Survived by her children Tony Ponturo, Don (Conni) Ponturo, and Bob (Nancy) Ponturo, grandchildren, Grace, Will, Joe, and Hannah Ponturo.
Visitation Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 9:30-11:00 am at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Funeral Mass to follow at 11 am.
Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN, 37221, 615-646-9292, harpethhills.com