Ann Marie DellaCroce

May 17, 1929 - October 31, 2023

ANN MARIE DELLA CROCE 1929-2023

Ann Marie Della Croce, 94, Freeland, PA died peacefully Tuesday, October 31^st, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Born in Hazleton, PA on May 17, 1929, she was the daughter of Patrick V. and Ellen (Farley) Carr. Ann Marie attended St. Ann’s High School, where she was a feature editor for The Acolyte. She graduated in 1947, and went on to attend McCann’s School of Business from 1947-1949. She was the last surviving member of St. Ann’s High School class of 1947.

Ann Marie married Dr. John B. Della Croce on June 12, 1954. They had four children: Dr. John J. Della Croce, James, Richard, and Ellen.

She was employed by Deemer’s Office Supply, and Schultz’s Packard and Willis Overland Distributors, (both in Hazleton), and BF Goodrich Tires, in Philadelphia.

She was a devoted Catholic and lifelong member of the former St. Ann’s Church presently Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s in Freeland and a member of St. Ann’s Guild, where she served as an editor and contributor to the Guild Cook Book. She was a member of the St. Ann’s Altar and Rosary Society, MMI Auxiliary, and served the President of the Auxiliary to the Hazleton Dental Society in 1963.

Ann Marie was an avid reader and exemplified all things Irish. She also enjoyed gardening, big band music, cooking, and spending summers at the family cottage at Saylor’s Lake in the Poconos.

A devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt, Ann Marie was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a sister, Mrs. Eleanor C.  Nemeth, an infant brother, Daniel Carr, and one daughter-in-law, Leslie (Gower) Della Croce.

She is survived by four children, Dr. John J. Della Croce, (Marybeth); Drums, PA, James P. Della Croce (Jenifer Lawrence), Bethlehem, PA, Richard Della Croce, Freeland, and Ellen Saum (Allen) Laurel Park, NC. Her twelve grandchildren include: Dr. Melissa Grosh (Stephen), Michael Della Croce, Natalie Best (Michael), Richard Saum (Taryn), Leah Della Croce (Steven), Laura Gomes de Santana (Pedro), Sean Della Croce, Kenneth Della Croce (Ailyn), Richard Della Croce, James Della Croce, and Mitchell Saum (Emily). Ten great-grandchildren also survive: Abby and Alex Best, Harrison and Olivia Grosh, Watson Della Croce, Thomas Gomes de Santana, Quinn Saum, and Mills Saum, with two more great grandchildren expected in early 2024. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

General visitation will be held on Friday, November 3^rd, from 10-11 am at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at St. Ann’s Church 898 Centre St. in Freeland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am.

Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Freeland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at St. Ann’s Church, Freeland, PA.

McNulty Funeral Home 494 East Butler Dr. Freeland is in charge of arrangements.