Ann E. LaGuardia

Ann E. LaGuardia, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, September 28, 2026, with her loving husband, Sam, by her side. In her final days, Sam cared for Ann with the same tenderness, dignity, and devotion that defined their remarkable life together.

Ann was born on July 15, 1933, to her devoted mother, Elizabeth Bangrowicz. Ann was Elizabeth’s only daughter, and the two shared an extraordinary bond throughout their lives.

Ann and Sam’s love story began with a chance encounter in June 1952, while both were on a retreat in Algonquin. After meeting, they spent several days getting to know one another, and at the end of the trip, Sam offered Ann a ride home. From that day forward, they were inseparable.

On October 2, 1955, Ann and Sam were married at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Chicago. Last year, they celebrated an extraordinary 70 years of marriage. Ann passed away just days before what would have been their 71st wedding anniversary—a lifetime together built on love, devotion, family, and friendship.

In 1962, Ann and Sam purchased their home in Oak Park, Illinois, where they raised their three sons, Ron, Paul, and David, and built a life filled with family and treasured memories.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Ann took great pride in her career at Concordia University, where she served for many years as Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Ann was wonderfully creative and enjoyed crocheting, gardening, baking, and sewing. Her Christmas cookies became a beloved family tradition, eagerly anticipated each holiday season. A talented and accomplished seamstress, Ann created beautiful clothing for herself and Sam, as well as memorable Halloween costumes for her children. Those costumes were lovingly saved and, years later, worn again by her grandchildren.

In a particularly fitting tribute to her talent and creativity, Ann will be laid to rest wearing a dress she designed and made herself.

Ann also had a lifelong love of travel. In her younger years, she enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the United States with her family. Later in life, she and Sam shared many wonderful adventures together, including several trips to Hawaii and Europe. France held a special place in her heart and was among her favorite destinations.

In retirement, Ann found happiness in both life’s adventures and its simple pleasures—a good book shared with her book club, a theater production, a movie, or an occasional trip to the casino. Above all, Ann cherished time spent with her family and friends.

Ann is survived by her beloved husband, Sam; her sons, Ron LaGuardia, Paul (Catherine) LaGuardia, and David (Maureen) LaGuardia; and her grandchildren, Christy (Jeremy) Hassinger, Sam LaGuardia, and Lauren LaGuardia. She also treasured the friendship and time she shared with her dear friend, Georgette Jacquat.

Ann will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her creativity, her warmth, and the countless traditions and memories she created over the course of her 93 years. Her life was one of enduring love, and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind will live on through the family she cherished so deeply.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, Illinois, where Ann was a parishioner for 64 years. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.

Immediately following Mass, Ann will be laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, Illinois 60162. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s memory to:

The Salesian Sisters

659 Belmont Ave.

North Haledon, NJ 07508

Checks may be made payable to The Salesian Sisters, with Ann’s name included on the memo line.

Online memorial donations may be made at salesiansistersgiving.org/memorials. Please include Ann’s name in the comment box.

Ann supported many charitable causes throughout her life, and her family knows she would also be pleased to have those wishing to honor her memory make a contribution to a charity meaningful to them.