Jess Anasti's GoFundMe raises over $75,000 as Pennsylvania Pizzata Pizzeria’s co-owner’s wife passes away at 39
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Jessica A. "Jess" Anasti (Photo: GoFundMe.com)Pennsylvania is mourning the loss of Jess Anasti, the wife of Pizzata Pizzeria co-owner Vinny Gallagher. According to her obituary, Jess passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, surrounded by her family.
An exact cause of death has not been made public as of this writing. The obit described the 39-year-old as a force of nature, adding that she was someone with a larger-than-life spirit. Noting that her "passion for living knew no bounds," the message continued:
"She easily turned strangers into friends and friends into family. Some people tiptoe through life; Jess danced, sang, and shouted. And never had a normal picture taken of her in life."
As news of her passing spread, the couple's friend Kristina Walsh set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Anasti's family. A statement on the page read:
"Please join us in honoring her and supporting the Gallagher family. A group of friends are organizing this fundraiser to ease their burden as they navigate this difficult time. All funds will go directly to Vince."
The page has currently raised over $75,000 out of its $200,000 goal.
Jess Anasti met Vinny Gallagher while studying at Villanova University
Jess Anasti was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and spent her childhood in Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Per her obituary on the Tribute Archive, growing up, she frequently spent time with her aunts, uncles, and cousins on holidays and beach trips in Delaware.
Anasti attended Villanova University, where she met Vinny Gallagher. Over the years, the couple spent countless hours travelling and starting business ventures together. Per Tribute Archive:
"They dove headfirst into adventure any chance they got. From NYC, to Kuwait, to opening a bed and breakfast in Uruguay, to baking thousands of sourdough loaves in San Francisco."
Notably, according to their Instagram profiles, Jess Anasti and Vince Gallagher tied the knot sometime in May 2019.
By the summer of the same year, the couple moved to Philadelphia, living three blocks away from Jess' brother, James. The pair are parents to Paxton, who turns 4 this August, and Poppy, who is 9 months. They are also parents to their dog, Edie.
Notably, according to Pizzata's website, Gallagher teamed up with his friend Davide Lubrano to set up their pizzeria. Lubrano, who finds his roots in Naples, Italy, trained at the Roman Pizza Academy in Miami. Per the website, Vinny is a self-taught "dough freak" who won the USA Caputo Cup in 2019 (a pizza-making competition).
Jess Anasti is survived by her husband, Vince; two children; parents, Jim and Joan; siblings, James and Joey; and her extended family.
A private celebration of life is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, followed by a Prayers and Words of Remembrance ceremony at the McElvarr Funeral Home.
TOPICS: Jessica A. "Jess" Anasti