It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Avna Paiewonsky Cassinelli, daughter of Charlotte and Isidor Paiewonsky, who died on September 25, 2025 at the age of 82, surrounded by her closest family.
She is survived by her sons Sebastiano and Filippo, daughters-in-law, Julie and Daniela, her grandchildren Julia, Aiden, Luca, Isabela and Alessia Cassinelli, step-grandchildren Olivia and Sophia Foster and step-great-grandchildren, Sage and Shama.
She attended Antilles school, Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Barnard College in New York City.
Avna had a long and successful business career as president of A.H. Riise Stores and Isidor Paiewonsky Associates, Inc., a real estate company which owns properDes in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie including the A.H. Riise Mall. She also served as president of AHR Watches, the Official Rolex Retailer in the Virgin Islands, which operates the Rolex boutique in the Mall.
Her family’s involvement with A.H. Riise started after her grandfather Isaac Paiewonsky, who arrived in St. Thomas in 1897, acquiring the A.H. Riise Apothecary in 1928.
Deeply committed to St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands, she was raised by her parents with the understanding of the importance of giving to one’s community. She is past president of the Virgin Islands Retailers Association, and has served on various committees for the government and the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce in the areas of tourism, tax policy and economic development. She was the co-chairperson Charlotte Amalie 2000 project.
Avna considered herself fortunate to have had mentors such as her parents Charlotte and Isidor, and her uncle Ralph Paiewonsky, who helped her develop a deeper understanding of economic, political, business, environmental, and aesthetic issues.
Avna particularly enjoyed working on projects she was told could not be done, yet which were of vital importance to the community. One such effort involved reversing the anti-business attitude in government of the late 1970’s, to share knowledge with the community about duty free and economic issues that affect all Virgin Islanders; specifically, in 1979 she and her uncle and mentor, former Governor Ralph M. Paiewonsky, pioneered the historic Bill 0411 to remove duties and excise tax on tourism related products with the goal of making the Port of Charlotte Amalie a true duty-free port. Although controversial at the time, this legislation became a model for other Caribbean Islands. It led to the unprecedented growth of duty-free shopping in the territory and development in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie.
Avna firmly believed that the Virgin Islands could reach its highest potential from quiet, selfless choices made for the good of all ~ a vision Avna embodied throughout her own life of service, working behind the scenes with dedication, humility, and unwavering devotion to her community.
Avna continued the tradition of philanthropy started by her parents, Charlotte and Isidor, and her uncle, Ralph, including, four annual scholarships for graduating students at the Charlotte Amalie High School in honor of her grandparents, Issac and Rebecca Paiewonsky, a scholarship that started in 1952, and continues to this day.
Avna cared deeply for her enDre family and put them before all other considerations. Her steadfast love and devotion to her sons was a driving force in who she was and how she lived her life. She is very proud of her sons Sebastiano and Filippo and for the men they have become as well as their families.
She was loved and respected and will be dearly missed, a steadfast rock to her family, wise, kind, and generous.
We love you. Rest in peace.
An announcement on service will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Family Resource Center, Inc., 2317 Commandant Gade, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI, 00802.
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