Ann Marie Gandolfo Smith

Ann Marie Maloney Gandolfo Smith passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025. “Annie” as most knew her, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 23, 1935, and was the daughter of Fernand and Margaret Gandolfo. Along with her sisters Margee, Manon & Sheila, she grew up on St. Charles Avenue in Uptown New Orleans.

Annie was preceded in death by her husband, attorney Guy Smith. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Smith of Mandeville, LA and son Foster Smith (Amy) of Milton, GA, grandson Parker Smith (Kaitlyn) great-grandson Carson of Roswell, GA, grandson Taylor Smith (Liz) of Holly Springs, GA and granddaughter Lindsey Smith of New Orleans.

Her family includes her late sister, Margaret Gandolfo Farris & late brother-in-law Charles Farris, nephews Charlie Farris (Jane) & grandniece Frannie Franks (Michael) & great-grandnephew Farris & great-grandniece Jane & grandnephew Buddy Farris, Bradley Farris (Eileen) & grandnieces Charlotte & Nina Farris (Dillon), Woody Farris (Merry Page) & grandniece Merry Alston, Waddy Farris (Monica) & grandniece Kate, Ham Farris (Teresa) & niece Meg Farris Adams (Mike), surviving sister Manon Gandolfo McKinnon, nephew Will McKinnon (Tree) & grandnephews Billy, Danny, Tommy, Jimmy & grandniece Lilly, niece Clerc Hunter (Bill) and grandnephew Charlie and her late sister, Sheila Maloney Dial & late brother-in-law Mike Dial, niece Allison Carrow (Craig), grandnephews Cole, Cooper & Will and niece Sara Dial.

Annie graduated from both Isadore Newman School and Newcomb College. She made her formal debut in 1956, and she reigned as queen of both Dorians and Eros and appeared in the courts of Nereus, Athenians and Prophets of Persia.

Annie began her career working for Shell Oil as a draftswoman in Houston. After meeting the charismatic, colorful attorney Guy Smith at a party, she moved back to New Orleans, and they married shortly thereafter.

Annie’s passion for music & arts was woven into the fabric of her life. She would go to the opera, Saenger & Fox Theatres to see live performances. As an accomplished artist, she painted her own artwork, furniture, and several needlepoint canvas originals and she co-owned a needlepoint shop on Tulane Avenue called Needlework’s, with her sister Margee.

She volunteered regularly for many years at the Preservation Resource Center. Her passion for New Orleans architecture was evident in her needlepoint creations featuring iconic New Orleans houses, landmarks & loveable tasty treats. As a needlepoint artist, she was always creating a new belt for Guy, Christmas stockings, ornaments & special one-of-a-kind designs for framing. She retired at age 82 from The Needlework Vault, another shop that she co-owned.

Annie was so proud of her children – Nancy & Foster. She talked non-stop about the success of Nancy’s shops Necromance 1 & 2 in Los Angeles, retelling stories of the celebrity customers that would shop there but was so happy when Nancy moved back to the New Orleans area after being away for 30 years. And she was so proud of Foster in his hospitality & restaurant endeavors, sharing his stories of the wine and culinary menu items he had created, even though it kept, he & his family in the Atlanta area after hurricane Katrina.

She loved her grandchildren Parker, Taylor & Lindsey so much and made a point to share New Orleans culture with them constantly teaching them about traditions! Nanoo (as they called her) always had something fun planned for them. From trips to the Zoo, Aquarium or Insectarium, to restaurants, plays, their soccer, baseball & softball games, school fairs, performances and her very favorite - the movies, she enjoyed being a part of anything they were involved with.

Annie was an avid traveler – always planning a trip here or there with family & friends. Whether it was to the Olympics, London, China, France, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Colorado to ski with family or hike with girlfriends, she was always ready to go. She loved Disneyworld, Disneyland, weekend trips to Pass Christian, or just to Baton Rouge to see the LSU Tigers.

Annie opened her home to many friends & families by hosting game nights, coveted Academy Awards parties, and sporting event watch parties for the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. The walls of 4160 Vendome were adorned with a variety of trinkets and vibrant artwork, representing a collection from her numerous journeys and travels. Each wall was meticulously decorated with pieces of art or photographs that held significant value and meaning. She enjoyed taking pictures and created photo albums for events, trips, holidays, parties, and family gatherings.

Annie's gardening passion transformed the corner of Vendome Place & Grape Street into a vibrant landscape of ferns, vines, and colorful flowers.

We are all so sad to lose Ann Marie, Annie, Mom & Nanoo – but we know she is in a better place now back with Guy, family & friends.

We imagine as she approached the Pearly Gates, the Red Carpet was rolled out as she climbed the heavenly steps to accept her “Lifetime Achievement Academy Award.” Can’t you just see that beautiful smile?

Thank you, Mom, Nanoo…Annie for all you did for us, making our days a little more colorful & fun with your amazing personality & generosity. We miss you, love you and will think of you often until we meet again. New Orleans won’t be the same without you, but your memory will live on, we’ll all make sure of that. Who Dat? Oui Dat!

The family would like to thank the team at Summer House Vista Shores, Peristyle Residences – The Jefferson & Care Associates Hospice.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, April 26th at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA at 11AM. Interment will be private.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ann Marie Gandolfo Smith please visit: www.lakelawnmetairie.com