Ann Frances DiBella

Ann Frances DiBella (née Richer), most recently of Ypsilanti, MI, passed away July 22, 2025. Known by her childhood nickname of “Nancy” by those who knew and loved her, Nancy was the loving wife of Francis (Frank), mother of Christine, Michael, Matthew and Regina, and grandmother to Max.

Nancy was born in 1940 in Philadelphia, PA, to Frank Richer and Ann (Hannigan) Richer. As an only child, she was the apple of their eye. She grew up in West Philadelphia, helping out at her grandfather’s butcher store from time to time and being a model student at St. Francis de Sales and the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. A true Philly kid, she took the trolley to high school every day.

Nancy attended Gwynedd Mercy University with the hopes of achieving her dream of becoming a teacher. She did achieve that dream, beginning her teaching career in Collingdale, PA. One of her stories of that time was of a class of nearly 100 students! While teaching and living with her parents in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Nancy met her future husband, Frank, on a blind date. An ongoing feature of their relationship was the joy and rivalry resulting from Nancy, an Irish girl from Philadelphia, falling in love with Frank, an Italian boy from Boston. They married June 26, 1971, and began their life together in Philadelphia as Frank completed a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania.

Life took a turn when Frank got a job at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Nancy left her treasured and familiar surroundings in Philadelphia and started a life in snowy Minnesota. This is where her first three children were born. She built a home, cared for three young children, and helped out at the Catholic church. Even in the later years of her life, Nancy would talk about how she never had foreseen living the suburban Midwestern life that she grew to love.

In 1977, Frank got a job at The Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, MI. Nancy and Frank moved the family there, a place that Nancy would call home for 40+ years. Soon after the move, their fourth child was born. When her youngest entered Kindergarten, Nancy returned to the career she loved and began teaching at St. Augustine Elementary School. Over her nearly 20 years as a teacher and principal in the Kalamazoo Catholic schools, she touched the lives of many students and families. She was also a friendly and social staff member, building strong relationships with her colleagues.

Nancy retired from teaching in 2001. Not one built for a life of leisure, she quickly set out to find a new professional venture. She found that as an assistant at the Kalamazoo Public Library. For the 18 years that followed, she enjoyed being able to continue using her teaching skills to help library patrons, and she built new friendships with her fellow staff members. During these years, Nancy was happy to have more time and increased opportunities to travel back to her beloved east coast. This was never more apparent than when her grandson, Max, was born in 2008. Nancy treasured the time she got to spend with Max and delighted in seeing her daughter, Christine, build a family of her own.

Nancy loved keeping up on news and culture and liked being surrounded by movies, TV, music, books, magazines, and newspapers. She was a social person who enjoyed outings with friends for meals and trips to the symphony and theater. Nancy built a wonderful home and showered her husband and children with unconditional love. She was an amazing cook and was always trying out new recipes. Even in her busiest years, she magically put together incredible family dinners on a daily basis. As spring came around each year, she took her annual trips to the local greenhouse and planted flowers that she tended to throughout the summer months.

Nancy had a strong work ethic and was a resilient woman who looked on the bright side of things even when it was difficult. Above all else, Nancy was a kind and loving person who always assumed the best of others.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ann Richer; husband, Frank; and son Matthew. Surviving are her children Christine (Dan), Michael, and Regina (Aaron); grandson, Max; siblings-in-law Cecilia, Tony (Margie), and Stella; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Nancy will be dearly missed, but those who love her delight in the memories of a woman who lived a great life and made a positive impact on the world around her. A memorial service for Nancy will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 1628 E G Ave, Parchment, MI 49004 on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 11:00am. To commemorate her life, donations may be made to the Kalamazoo Public Library (315 S Rose St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, https://www.kpl.gov/about/support-the-library/ or The Gilbert Residence (203 S Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, https://www.gilbertresidence.com/donations/