Ann M. (Atkins) Padova

Mrs. Ann M. Padova, dedicated wife, mother of 6, nurse, and admired, loyal friend to many, born on August 17th, 1933, in Philadelphia to Henry and Dorothy Atkins, died peacefully in her home on January 12th, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband and children.  Ann is survived by her husband of 61 years, the Honorable John R. Padova Sr., her 3 sons: John (Lua), Chris, and Andrew, her 3 daughters: Maria (Peter) Padova, Elizabeth (Mikael) Padova Hanson, and Jennifer (Tom) Padova-Gallagher, her precious 11 grandchildren: Audrey, Peter, Christian (entered eternal rest), Matthew, Dominic, Tommy, Aidan, Jack, Bella, Meghan, and Julia, and her many cherished nieces and nephews. 

Ann grew up in Philadelphia where she attended Catholic school from K through 12th grade, cultivating her devout Catholic faith and selfless, unwavering giving nature. Following high school, Ann graduated from the Chestnut Hill Hospital School of Nursing. Her commitment to compassionately serving the ill and her excellence in her profession led to her becoming the Chief Nurse of the Northeast Region of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Ann met her beloved husband (John) in 1957 when their families became neighbors. John was captivated by Ann’s beauty, elegance, and faith-driven spirit. They married in 1961.  Ann retired from nursing to become a full-time wife and mother, prioritizing her children. She was a long-time resident of West Mount Airy/Chestnut Hill and an active member of Saint Madeleine Sophie’s Roman Catholic Church.

Ann invested her time, heart, and energy in her family, faith, and community. She was a beacon of support and an incredible confidant to her husband as he grew and succeeded in his legal career. From organizing events for her children’s schools or attending recitals/sporting events and devoting countless hours to the Ronald McDonald House to donating to the Cloister and Carmelite nuns, her unconditional love and selflessness, particularly for those in need, were shining examples throughout her life. Friends and family always trusted Ann as a safe harbor in difficult times, for comfort, hope, and compassion.

Ann enjoyed gardening, reading faith-based authors, praying the novena, designing floral arrangements, live theater, and classical musicians such as the operatic tenor Andrea Bocelli. She had a passion for befriending and helping the disabled and those with special needs.  One of her most treasured activities was spending summers with family in Ocean City, NJ, where she helped her immediate and extended family build enduring bonds across generations. Ann’s legacy of kindness, connection, optimism, and devotion will carry on forever through her family, friends, and the countless others whose lives she touched.

Visitation: Wednesday Evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on January 18th at St. Philip Neri Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444.  Friends may also call from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM Thursday at the church prior to mass. 

Funeral Mass Thursday, January 19th at 11:00 AM Saint Philip Neri Church.   The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed also.  Please click on the following link on Thursday, January 19th at 10:50 A.M. https://youtu.be/iSfKwm1IdjA

Interment will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.

In remembrance of Ann, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of St. Paul, 8251 Mount Carmel Road, Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042-9547.