LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Ana D’Amico, retired CBF field worker and wife of David D’Amico, died August 25 at her home in Louisville, Ky., following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. She was 73.
“Ana D’Amico was a radiant Christian, an effective missionary and an authentic human being,” said Daniel Vestal, CBF’s executive coordinator. “All of us in Cooperative Baptist Fellowship who knew and loved her will miss her. It was a privilege to serve God with her.”
Commissioned in 1995, the D’Amicos lived in New York from 1996-2004, serving as CBF representatives to the United Nations. The D’Amicos gained non-governmental organization status for the Fellowship at the U.N., which allowed them access to briefings at U.N. headquarters.
Ana D’Amico, who retired as one of CBF’s field personnel in 2006, died Aug. 25.
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The U.N gave the D’Amicos and the Fellowship opportunities to connect with diplomats and their countries all over the world. The U.N. also provided a forum for the D’Amicos to communicate the Fellowship’s message of compassion.
“In the process, we had access to missions or embassies of the world community,” Ana once said. “Since we lived in the community of the U.N., many of our neighbors were representatives of the world community.”
The D’Amicos became involved in ecumenical groups, sponsored forums on issues relating to human rights and led weekly worship services at an interfaith chapel near the U.N. headquarters in Midtown Manhattan. Their apartment became a center for informal meetings, fellowship and Bible studies with diplomats, and the D’Amicos estimate they hosted a total of 800-1,000 people.
Rob Nash, CBF coordinator of Global Missions, recalled Ana’s compassion and hospitality.
“Ana was a model for all of us in Global Missions at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,” Nash said. “Her field-personnel colleagues have shared with me their memories of her gracious spirit, unflagging hospitality and compassion for the most neglected. I'm grateful for her presence among us.”
The D’Amicos were serving in New York on September 11, 2001, when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center. In the days and months following 9/11, the couple partnered with local churches and organizations to help meet the vast needs of the stricken city. They also administered the relief funds sent by Fellowship churches across the United States.
Born June 19, 1936, in Rosario, Argentina, Ana graduated from the University of Buenos Aries in 1956 and married David the same year. As David served in several missions and seminary positions, Ana served as patient-relations supervisor at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston; interpreter/translator for Superior Court in Morris County, N.J. and a translator/editor in Louisville. She also served as a Southern Baptist Home Mission Board missionary to New York from 1985-1989.
The D’Amicos’ last assignment with CBF Global Missions was working as advocates for Hispanics in North Carolina. They retired in December 2006.
Ana is survived by her husband, David; her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Tom Nickles of Lewisburg, Pa.; son Stephen and daughter-in-law Ana Cora D’Amico of Mebane, N.C.; son Kenneth D’Amico of Durham, N.C., and son David and daughter-in-law Amee D’Amico of Louisville. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law and several grandchildren.
Visitation will be Aug. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Pearson’s Funeral Home, 149 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, Ky. Funeral and internment will be a private family ceremony. Memorial contributions may be made to James Graham Brown Cancer Research Center.
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Bob Perkins is a writer for CBF Communications.