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Longtime Catholic Charities volunteer Ann Lanzillotta dies at 90

Catholic Herald Staff Report

Paul and Ann Lanzillotta, shown in 2009, helped Catholic Charities raise money through their work on the annual Catholic Charities ball. DAVE BOROWSKI | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Ann Marie Gallagher Lanzillotta of Arlington, a longtime
volunteer for diocesan Catholic Charities, St. Ann School, Marymount University
and other organizations, died Sept. 10 at home surrounded by family after a
short illness. She was 90.

She and her husband of 61 years, A. Paul Lanzillotta, were among
volunteers who founded the annual diocesan Catholic Charities Ball, which has
raised millions of dollars to benefit the community over the past 40 years.

“I have no shyness about asking for money for something good,”
she told the Catholic Herald in 2009 after she and her husband received the
James J. Matthews Legacy Award for their work on behalf of the charity’s annual
fundraising event.

She served as the ball’s historian from 1982 to 2003 and then
served as historian emeritus. The historian keeps records to ensure a smooth
transition from year to year. She also served on the committee that planned and
executed the ball.

“It would be hard to imagine a family more self-giving and
generous to the least of our brothers and sisters,” said Art Bennett, president
and CEO of diocesan Catholic Charities. “We will miss Ann deeply and will be
forever grateful for her generosity and how she lived her faith.”

A native Washingtonian born Nov. 8, 1929, she shared her
extensive knowledge of the area as a licensed tour guide running Capital City
Guides for more than 25 years. Thousands of students from across the country
experienced her tours of the nation’s capital.

She also was an avid tennis player, playing on the doubles tennis
team at Washington Golf and Country Club and Bethany West. The Lanzillottas had
a second home in Bethany Beach, Del., where they spent their summers with
friends and family for more than 45 years.

She graduated from Sacred Heart High School and the Washington
School for Secretaries before joining General Motors’ federal marketing
department. The Lanzillottas moved to Arlington in 1962.

In addition to her husband, she leaves children: Mary Katherine
Lanzillotta (and husband, Lee Becker), Susan Lanzillotta, and John Lanzillotta
(and wife, Stacey Lanzillotta); grandchildren, Morgan and Keegan Lanzillotta;
step-grandchildren, Michael Becker (and wife, Rachel Becker) and Bryan Becker
(and wife, Lara Berenji); and great step-grandchildren, Lindsey, Emmett and
Milo Becker.

A memorial Mass was celebrated Sept. 26 at St. Ann Church in
Arlington and livestreamed. Memorial gifts may be made to diocesan Catholic
Charities. 

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