Ann Elizabeth Principi, 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at her home in Ridgefield.

Ann was born to John and Agnes McGlynn on February 27, 1928, in Danbury. A lifelong resident of Ridgefield, she attended Ridgefield High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1945. She served as legal secretary clerk and teacher’s aide at the East Ridge Middle School and Ridgefield High School for 20 years.

Ann was predeceased in 2006 by the love of her life, James Principi, who she married on January 27, 1951.

She was a devoted, lifelong St Mary’s parishioner and, in her later years, volunteered countless hours for Adoration.

Ann was an avid Yankee and UConn Women’s hoops fan, loved playing golf, and won Ridgefield Ladies’ Senior League Championship twice. She enjoyed all ballgames from Little League, Babe Ruth, and Red Raiders to high school basketball, baseball, football, and cheerleading. She was always found in the stands as her children’s biggest fan. She was super competitive when it came to athletics, and by her example, her children and grandchildren learned good sportsmanship.

When she was not competing or cheering her family on in sports, Ann loved to play board games and constantly challenged herself with Scrabble, Yahtzee, and Go to the Head of the Class. Most Thursdays, she was a fixture at Founders Hall, playing Pinochle with the ladies. She was also an avid reader who instilled a great appreciation of literature in her children.

Ann enjoyed family summer picnics, all holidays, horseshoes, family vacations in Old Lyme and Guilford, and reunions in Cape May, N.J., and Candlewood Lake in Brookfield.

Ann made her children strong and instilled in them an unwavering sense of family values.

Mrs Principi is survived her sister, Mary Belle Frattini of Ridgefield; a daughter, Terry Principi of Milwaukee, Wis.; and seven sons, James Principi of Bethel, Michael Principi of Ridgefield, Thomas Principi (Ann-Marie) of New Milford, Paul Principi (Lorraine) of Braintree, Mass., Steven Principi (Kim) of West Roxbury, Mass., Mark Principi (Valerie) of Newtown, and John Principi (Patty) of Sandy Hook. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Jimmy and Scott (Nina) Principi, Michael (Chrissy) Principi, Julie (Zach) Klann, Jacqueline Principi, Beth (Joe) O’Riordan, Steven and Michelle Principi, Jason, Keleigh, and Nicholas Principi, Sara, Jessica, and Matthew Principi; and four great-grandchildren, Lucas, Levi, and Isla Principi and Gracelyn Klann.

In addition to her parents, Ann was predeceased by a son-in-law, Greg Reschel; and by three brothers, Robert, Francis, and Jack McGlynn.

A special thank you is extended to Yasmin Clarke for her loyalty, love, and dedication to Ann for the past five years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at St Mary Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Burial will follow in St Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield.

The family will receive friends at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield on Monday, April 22, 2019, from 5 to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Mary’s Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield CT 06877; or Regional Hospice and Palliative Care of Western CT, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810.