Anna-Maria Ignatovich

Born on December 12, 1940, in New York City to Sylvia and George von Diezelski, Anna-Maria grew up in the Bronx and graduated from New York City public schools with a Commercial Studies diploma. She went on to earn her B.A. in English from Hunter College in 1963, an M.A. in English Instruction from Michigan State University in 1972, and later, a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading Instruction from Michigan State University in 1988.

On September 16, 1961, she married Frederick R. Ignatovich at Messiah Lutheran Church in the Bronx – the beginning of a marriage that spanned for more than six decades.

Anna-Maria was multi-talented, which paved the way for a career path that was both diverse and accomplished. She worked as a corporate executive secretary in New York City, taught at Paul Hoffman Jr. High School in the Bronx, and even owned and managed the Astor Beauty Salon. After relocating to Michigan, she served as church secretary at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, worked as a travel agent, trained literacy tutors with the Capital Area Literacy Coalition (“The Reading People”), and taught reading instruction courses as an adjunct instructor at Michigan State University.

Anna-Maria, with her giving spirit, volunteered in many ways. She was active at Faith Lutheran Church as a council member and Parish Education Chairperson, served on the MSU Blue Line Club board, and was a board member of Lansing’s BoarsHead Theater.

Her life took her from New York to Iowa City to Michigan, but her heart was always open to the world. She loved researching and planning travel, having visited every continent with the exception of Antarctica. She was also an avid reader of mystery novels, often completing the entire works of her favorite authors. She cherished cheering for Michigan State hockey and never missed a chance to support her grandson’s youth, high school, and travel hockey games.

Anna-Maria is survived by her devoted husband, Frederick R. Ignatovich of Okemos; her children, Frederick R. (Diane M.) Ignatovich, Jr. of Byron Center, MI, and Eliina Sylvi Karyndinha of Berkeley, CA; her grandchildren, William “Will” F. Ignatovich of Byron Center, MI, and Sahtah Karyndinha of Berkeley, CA; and her cousin, Christine Ryan of the Bronx, NY. She was preceded in death by cousins, Reino Weber (1966) and Fritz Weber (1981).

A visitation for Anna-Maria will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel, 1730 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 PM, Pastor Megan Floyd officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Anna-Maria's memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and The Salvation Army Lansing Capital Area, 525 N Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.