Ann Marie Segarini

With profound sadness we share that Ann Marie Segarini passed away peacefully Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the age of 95. The only-child of Sicilian immigrants Anna V. Guidera and Joseph Guidera, she was born and raised in San Francisco.

Although her high school years were shadowed by World War II, her talent at piano was the outlet to joy that she shared with family and friends. She accompanied many high school music productions and frequented veteran’s halls to play and lead singalongs with the returning troops. She adopted a lively style and turned any tune into honky tonk that sent the room dancing. Also notable in her teen years was her participation as an usher at the United Nations Conference on International Organization held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where the charter was drawn up for the fledgling United Nations.

Ann Marie began studies at Cal but those were interrupted by the overwhelming influx of returning postwar servicemen competing for classes. Back in San Francisco she worked in administrative positions and in 1954 she joined the civil service to support the U.S. Army at Camp Zama, Japan.

When she returned home in 1955, Ann Marie met the love of her life, Joe Segarini, and they married in 1956. She and Joe raised two children in homes in San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, and in 1970 settled in San Jose.

Shortly after, Ann began a 22-year career in administration at Santa Clara University (SCU) where she supported various departments including Philosophy, Religious Studies, English and the Admissions office. At SCU she established many lifelong friendships and was an active member in the American Association of University Women. The inspiration she received from her friends and colleagues motivated her towards her proudest achievement, her 1984 bachelor's degree from SCU at the age of 56.

In 1993, Ann and Joe relocated to Fremont where they built a new community of friends and traveled throughout North America and Europe with the Fremont senior center. Their 61 years of marriage ended with Joe’s death in 2017 and Ann stayed in Fremont until progressing dementia required a move to assisted living care in San Jose.

Ann was a devout Catholic driven by her faith and happiest when surrounded by family. Holidays were always filled with food, family and friends. With gentle coaxing after serving holiday dinners she would often sit down at the piano to revive tunes from the 40’s to 70’s and invite the group to sing along. We expect she’s now running her fingers along a heavenly keyboard and serenading the family that she’s joined in her after life.

Ann Marie is survived by her two loving children, Patti and Brad (Teresa); four grandchildren, Katherine, William, Joseph, and Alyssa (Danie); dozens of cousins, and dear family friends. The family wishes to thank the staff at Sonnet Hill Senior Living San Jose and the volunteers and staff with Hospice of the Valley for attentive care and for bringing love, joy, and comfort to Ann.

Visitation is Sunday, July 21, 5-9 pm, with a rosary and memorial from 6 to 7pm at the Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose. Funeral Mass 10:30 am, Monday, July 22, at St. Dunstan’s church, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae, followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.