Patricia "Ann" Centilla

Patricia Ann Centilla, age 77 of Portage, passed at her long-time home surrounded by loved ones on March 20, 2022. She was born November 2, 1944, in Decatur, Alabama to Olin Mason and Mary F. (Mason) Reits.
The oldest of 6 children, Ann and her family lived in Alabama before moving to Michigan where she began her career as a cosmetologist. She earned many awards in cosmetology school before owning and operating her own successful storefront salon. Eventually, she brought a second owned salon into her own home with beloved clientele so she could spend more time with her children. Additionally, she worked as an employee at the Upjohn Company until she retired.
She was a devoted Catholic and has been a member of St. Catherine of Siena where she served frequently in the parish for 55 years, she enjoyed being a part of the Encore Group, and was social chairman of Coping with Divorce.
Ann and the love of her life, Robert Benjamin, would take road trips almost every weekend. The two of them loved going to Shipshewana, Pokagon, South Haven, and wherever else the road would take them. Ann loved going out to eat with her family and friends. One of her favorite place's was Culver's, if you wanted to make her day, you just had to bring her a chocolate ice cream with hot fudge. Ann loved going to garage sales, and finding the best deals out shopping with her sister Pam. The cashiers at Kohl's, and JCPenney definitely knew her by name, and she would call her kids and grandkids every time she got a 30% off coupon, every time, just to make sure they didn't need any more clothes. She is the reason her grandkids' closets are overflowing and why the family can't get rid of anything "just in case" we will need it someday.
Ann had a way of making everyone around her laugh no matter the situation, or what she was going through herself. She used to tell her family "well at least I met my goal of making you laugh for the day" even if what made them laugh was her mispronunciation of a word, or her embarrassing herself just because she knew it would make everyone smile. She loved her family more than anything, she would call her children and grandchildren every single day (or facetime if she could figure out that tricky iPhone), and never missed a sporting event or extracurricular because she was always the best mom, grandma, and cheerleader. She even made sure someone got her to graduations, and other events for her grandkids even on the days she felt sick. She prayed for her family every night and called them to make sure they said the prayer with her. She never forgot a special event or birthday, and always worked hard to make gatherings and birthdays memorable. Her favorite place in the entire world was anywhere her family was. There was no place she would rather be than with her family, and no place her family loved more than being with her. She was blessed with a light that never failed to make everyone around her smile and gave us all a reminder to stay upbeat and positive despite the circumstances. Ann was a woman of strength and grace and had a heart of gold, she will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know her and love her.
She loved and was loved by her children, Kim Andersen, Terri (Tim) Centilla-Pieratt, and Jodi (Rich) Centilla-Trimble. Her grandchildren, Brandon Centilla, Austin Andersen, and Sami and Sky Trimble. Her fiancé, Robert Benjamin, and her brothers, Tony Mason and Dean Reits as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Pam Rabb, and her brothers, Mike and Timothy Mason.
Friends may visit with her family on Sunday, March 27, 2022, from 1:00-4:00 PM, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, with an hour to greet the family from 10:00-11:00 AM. Burial service will follow at South Portage Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Please visit Ann's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com.