Ann Irene (Verzella) Ridge

Age 96, of Mt. Lebanon, on Saturday April 10, 2023.  Beloved wife for 54 years of the late Honorable Judge Joseph H. Ridge; devoted mother of Marianne (David) O’Connor and Andrea (Michael) Moorman; daughter of the late P.A. Verzella and Mary (Andiorio) Verzella; sister of Virginia (Verzella) Goldaine and the late Marino Verzella; proud grandmother of Brendan (Julie) and Thomas (Melissa) O’Connor, Meghan (Gregory) Kelley, Ryan (Lindsey), Sean (Maria), Brett (Megan) and Matthew Moorman; great-grandmother of Elliott, Annabelle, Rosalie and Landry O’Connor; Adeline, Zachary, Tyler and Michael Moorman; survived by members of the Andiorio and Verzella family, including Marino Verzella and Maria Verzella of Montella, Avellino, Italy, her father’s birthplace; also survived by several nephews and nieces.

Ann graduated from South Hills High School and received a bachelor of arts degree  from Duquesne University. She met her husband while out on a date with a mutual friend, and they were married in September 1948. Ann had many interests. She loved playing cards, especially bridge. Ann had a flair for fashion—always dressing well and looking her best. She had a knack for what looked good, be it the decor of her home, the flowers in her garden, the wreath on her door. Ann was a wonderful seamstress and wasn’t afraid to tackle the most daunting of projects—once making a set of Austrian shades for her daughter’s bedroom. She enjoyed crafting wreaths and dried flower arrangements. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends. Ann found her true passion in 1977, when she became a real estate professional.  Ann worked 38 years in real estate and particularly loved helping the first-time buyer get started on the path of home ownership. One of the nurses that tended to Ann in her final days remembered being one of those clients.

Ann was blessed with a long and healthy life. She and her younger sister, Virginia, maintained a close relationship throughout the years, speaking by phone almost every day. Ann carried on after the death of her husband and was the spark that built a great friendship among her grandchildren through the tradition of an annual family cruise. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly called her “Honey.” 

Friends will be welcomed at Laughlin Cremation & Funeral Tributes 222 Washington Road Mt. Lebanon on Friday April 21 from 4:00-7:00 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Saint Anne Church (St. Paul of the Cross Parish) on Saturday April 22 at 9:30 AM. Entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Mausoleum. If desired, the family requests donations to St. Paul of the Cross Parish or The Family Hospice Foundation.

www.laughlinfuneralhome.com

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