Ann Rich

Ann Rich, affectionately known as Grannie Annie, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, surrounded by the lights of her life: her two daughters, Gina and Heather, and her five grandchildren, Ryan, CJ, Katie, John, and Joey.

Ann was born on May 20, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. Due to her father’s health, the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, when she was two years old. It was there that she met the love of her life, Joe Rich. The two were married for 38 years until his passing in February 2003.

While raising her daughters, Ann was a pillar of her community, dedicating her time to the Junior League of Phoenix and staying active through modeling, representing a golf and tennis clothing line, and eventually opening her own boutique at the Biltmore. Ann was a gifted seamstress; as her family fondly remembers, "she could fix anything!"

In 2006, Ann’s sense of adventure took flight and she visited an incredible 93 countries. She loved recounting tales of her favorite African safaris, her cruise ship being targeted by Somalian pirates, floating in the Dead Sea, and visiting the Taj Mahal just hours before it was bombed. Ann was a fearless traveler and she always made sure to keep a sharp eye out for gypsies along the way.

As much as she loved world travel, golf, and Mahjong, family remained her focus. She took immense pride in picking up her grandkids from school—"Yes, that’s my Grannie Annie in the white Hummer!"—and never missed a game, concert, play, or graduation. Grandparents Day was her absolute favorite, and she never missed a chance to brag about her "favorite" grandchildren.

Though she slowed down in her later years, Ann never lost her sharp wit, her impeccable sense of style, or her love for a good true crime show. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

An Open House Celebration of Life will be held on her birthday, May 20, 2026, at The Orchard (7100 N 12th St) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the activity center at The Terraces in her memory. Please make checks out to: HumanGood Foundation, 7550 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020. On the memo line please put "in memory of Ann Rich"