The oldest daughter of Vincenzo and Giuseppina Mirabella, Antonella was born and raised in Naples, Italy. In 1964 she married John Pritchett, together they had 2 children, Daniella and John. In August 1972, she married R. Stephan Kelly they had a son, Anthony.
In 1967, Antonella emigrated from Italy to Washington State where her first husband was stationed in the Navy. Shortly after, they moved to Provo Utah.
In 1970, Antonella and her two young children were befriended by Della Pantos and her family (The Morelli’s and Ventura's). They filled in for the extended family she left in Italy.
With the help and support of her friends, mom was accepted to the University of Utah and earned her BA degree in Sociology. In 1982, she began her career as a Social Worker with Valley Mental Health. In 1989, she applied to the School of social work to obtain her Master’s Degree. While raising a family, working full-time, and attending school, she earned her Master’s Degree in 1992. In 1994, she became a Social Worker with the Department of Child and Family Services from where she retired in 2005.
Through her work and private practice she counseled and touched many lives with her caring nature.
Mom was very active in her community. Throughout the years she volunteered at the Sharing Place, with the Utah Association of Play Therapy, NAMI, Give Me A Chance, The 4th Street Clinic, and the University Of Utah School of Social Work, where she mentored students in the masters program.
She is survived by her sons, John Pritchett and Anthony (Ronda) Kelly, and the light of her life, her grandson Jacob. Her sisters Silvana Sitzes of Utah, Anna Marie Mirabella and Adriana Mirabella, Italy, her brother Giacomo Mirabella, New York. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Her parents and her beloved daughter Daniella Pritchett preceded her in death.
Mom was a very social person and had many friends. She touched many lives. The family would like to thank the Pantos/Morelli/Ventura family, the Benassi Family, the Tata family, the Dsouza Family, the Boutet family and the rest of her friends who were there for her throughout her life.
Friends and family may gather Thursday, May 2, 2019 for a visitation from 5:00-6:00 and a celebration of life at 6:00 at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to World Vision Charities or other refugee charitable organization.
I don’t know what to say. I’m so behind on things. Antonella was a force of nature sharing love and touching the lives of so many. I had the honor of working with her after she’d had to retire early due to health issues. Which didn’t stop her from establishing a free program through the Health Clinics of Utah. This program helped people who had neither the financial ability to afford access to assistance with mental health issues. Then also to provide much needed support to overcome and control their future and potential to positively contribute to the betterment of society in general. Even when she was dealing with her own health issue she put a program in place to help others. Thus showing the true force of nature set out to help others even when her body had decided to attempt to hold her back she simply said I’ve got more love to give and kindness to share with the world. Maybe that’s why it took so long for me to feel that she’d passed on.
She in the end has left and impression on so many that she will continue to be honored by her works of kindness leaving a legacy that will never end. I just want to thank her for that infinite ability help others that will always live on in her honor until the end of time. May her love and compassion spread on to assist all that she can reach and keep her love for all ever growing. I could say more but this does in my mind show that shes gone from this life but she will never be forgotten.