Ann Elizabeth Ranieri

Ann (Annie) Elizabeth Ranieri passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023 in Broomall, PA. Born on January 12, 1960 in Philadelphia, PA, she was the beloved youngest daughter of David J. and Earline J. (nee Clark) Ranieri. Annie was a cherished sister to the late David C., Mary J., Joan M. and baby Frank Ranieri. She is survived by her sister Joan Ranieri; sister-in-law Mi Ae Ranieri; niece Susan Ranieri; nephew Joseph Ranieri, his wife Ranae, and their son, Jin.

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in History from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1982, Annie’s passion for history and literature led her to pursue a Master of Library Science from Drexel University in 1983, where she was awarded a prestigious two-year Library Assistantship. Annie served as a cataloger at Holy Family University and later became an instructor of Library Cataloging and Classification at Arcadia University, where she also coordinated the School Library Science Certification Program and headed the Technical Services Department initializing needed innovations and supporting the building of the Landman Library. Her leadership and commitment to her work were evident in her role as the Director of Library Science at Harcum College where she was instrumental in the renovations at the Charles H. Trout Library. Uninterested in bureaucracy, she got things done.

Annie possessed empathy and a beautiful smile. She was a private and quiet person, as well as a fun, spirited soul who had many passions. When not crafting or listening to Opera, Annie had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, often spending time researching topics of interest, reading, and collecting books. Flower and vegetable gardening gave her joy and peace, letting her express her love of life and nature. Her passion for baking resulted in scores of recipes stashed away for future use and often used on her bi-yearly trips with "the cabin ladies". Those trips brought together all of her favorite pastimes. 

Annie’s faith was a guiding force in her life, providing her with comfort and strength, leading her to work in Appalachia and ministering with the Church. She demonstrated how we control our own attitudes and how to choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service.

Remembered for her generous heart, loving nature, and sly sense of humor, Annie was a constant source of support and wisdom. Her love for and from her family was profound. She was also strong-willed and stubborn, but those traits defined her. As Annie faced her own health issues, she met them with a spirit of perseverance. Her motto was "Keep Moving Forward". She was able to thrive with cancer and her heart beat strong and true after multiple medical interventions. She continued taking care of others despite the challenges her body threw at her. She amazed us with her humble, cheerful strength.

In her passing, Annie would have preferred to be remembered as a person who cared deeply for others: her circle of friends, friends yet unmet, and family; as a person of conviction and a person who was truly grateful for all that God had given her. Annie knowing and loving each of us was the success story in her life. Her memory is etched in broken hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A Funeral Mass for Annie will be at 10am on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at St. Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Rd., Broomall, PA 19008 and may be viewed by clicking this link saintpius.net/livestream. Family and friends are invited to gather in the church before mass on Thursday from 9:30 to 10am. The burial will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.donate.cancer.org or St. Frances de Sales School, 917 S. 47th St., Philadelphia, PA 19143.