Ann LaPointe

October 4, 1943 – July 30, 2026

Ruth Ann Williams LaPointe, 82, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, surrounded by loved ones — exactly seven months after the passing of Richard, her beloved husband of 60 years.

Ann was born October 4, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the fourth of seven children of George Leonard Williams and Ruth Barber Williams, and the first daughter after three boys. She grew up in Tooele, Utah, in a happy, busy home with deep pioneer roots — all eight of her great-grandparents are buried in the Tooele City Cemetery. She adored her parents, and her father's quiet goodness and generosity to those in need shaped the guiding impulse of her own life: to help, to serve, and to be cheerful.

When her family moved to Concord, California, in 1957, thirteen-year-old Ruth Ann made two decisions: she would go by "Ann," and she would choose to be cheerful, outgoing, and positive about life. She kept both resolutions for the rest of her days. At Mt. Diablo High School, she sang with the choir at the 1960 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies in Squaw Valley. After graduation, she attended beauty school on scholarship and worked as a beautician before enrolling at Brigham Young University, where she studied early childhood education.

In 1965, at a church institute class in Concord, Ann met Richard LaPointe. They were married that August in the Oakland Temple, beginning a six-decade partnership of faith, service, and joy. Together they raised nine children — Denise, Jennifer, Richard, Rebecca, Kathryn, Matthew, Jonathan, Andrew, and Sarah. When a newspaper reporter once asked the young couple, then raising a houseful of children on a modest income, how they managed, Ann answered simply: "Some people like cabins in the mountains and cars and clothes. Our big luxury is our family."

Ann supported Richard through his education and his careers in public service and education — from California to Virginia — while making every home a happy place, full of warmth, music, and activities shared together: quilting, cooking, and nice family dinners every night, complete with cloth napkins. Ann loved homemaking, and the whole purpose of it was to make a happy home for her family.

Ann carried a lifelong love of learning. She was always striving to improve herself — reading, studying, and participating in her book club for more than thirty years. She believed that a mind, like a home, was something to be tended with care.

A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ann served in countless volunteer capacities, including Ward and Stake Relief Society President, Primary President, and Primary Song Leader. She and Richard served two church service missions together — at the Bishop's Storehouse (a food bank) and with BYU-Pathway Worldwide (an adult education program), where she taught institute and volunteered in the Washington D.C. Temple. Her journals, kept faithfully across the decades, overflow with gratitude: for her Savior, for her husband ("the kindest man I know"), for her children ("What a precious gift from Heaven…How come I'm so blessed?"), and for friends and strangers alike, whom she and Richard often welcomed into their home in times of need.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ruth Williams; her siblings, Paul Williams, LaMar Williams, Ron Williams, Shari Ellis, and Greg Williams; her husband, Richard LaPointe; and her son, Rick LaPointe. She is survived by her children, Denise (Roger) Lloyd, Jennifer (Steven) Bridges, Rebecca (Dave) Wright, Katie (Tim) Robison, Matt (Serina) LaPointe, Jonathan LaPointe, Andrew LaPointe, and Sarah (Dallas) Persinger; her brother Mark (Patti); 25 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild, and another expected any day.

Funeral services will be held on August 22: a viewing will be held at 10 a.m., with the funeral beginning at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Arlington Chapel, 1600 N. Inglewood Street, Arlington, VA 22205. Interment will follow at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

"What e'er thou art, act well thy part." Ann acted her part — daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and disciple — with cheerfulness, gratitude, and love. Her big luxury was her family, and her family was blessed beyond measure to have her.