Ann was born on February 20, 1927, in Queens, New York, to Vincent and Vita Occhipinti.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Domenic, her sisters Mary Ferrara, and Rose Mannuci, and by her devoted husband of 62 years, Thomas J. Zirpoli, Sr.
Ann will be greatly missed by her daughters Marie Hawkins and Ann Garris; son and daughter-in-law Thomas and Susan Zirpoli, son and daughter-in-law Michael and Margaret Zirpoli, and son and daughter-in-law Robert and Christine Zirpoli; grandchildren John, Tommy and wife Anna Garris, Adam Garris, Michael Hawkins, Jill and husband Chris Morse, Jeremy Zirpoli, Jason and wife Uni Zirpoli, Christopher Zirpoli and wife Rachel Carr, Julia Zirpoli and husband Adam Schuman, Justin Zirpoli, Melissa and husband Robert Smith; and several great-grandchildren.
After raising her children, Ann worked for Dairy Queen, Bank of America, A&P, and Safeway. While at Safeway, she was the first female Head Teller at several stores and encouraged Safeway to hire female store managers. She finished her career as manager of family owned “It’s Yogurt” shop and then Advanced Nutrition Health and Supplement Stores in Virginia Beach.
Ann loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her two cats, Casey and Lacy. She was a wonderful cook, and she prepared many large holiday meals for her family. She loved to travel the world with her husband, but she also loved gardening, reading, watching, and reading the news, and feeding the wild animals who lived in her backyard near the Chesapeake Bay.
Family was most important to her. Her last wish was for her children to always be there for each other after she was gone. She wanted us all to remember that she was a “I’m a lucky mom” because her children took good care of her.
Ann was a founding member of Ascension Catholic Church at 4853 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach and there will be a mass of Catholic burial on Wednesday, January 18, at 1 pm with interment immediately following within the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk.
Memorial contributions may be sent to The Salvation Army, 1136 Lynnhaven Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA, or Virginia Beach SPCA at 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, Va. 23452.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.WoodlawnNorfolk.com
