Obituary of Ann Marie Sanders

Ann Marie Sanders, age 63, of Conshohocken, PA, peacefully returned to the Lord on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Born on June 13, 1961, in Philadelphia, PA, Ann Marie was the cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Genevieve (Skopek) Chrostowski. 

Ann Marie was a devoted wife to her husband of 34 years, Ronald Louis Sanders, and a loving mother to her children, Michael Joseph Sanders, Christopher Louis Sanders, and Angela Marie Smith, her son-in-law Jeff Smith as well as the beloved grandmother “Grandmarie” to Lily Angeline Marie Smith and Charlotte Ann Marie Smith. She is also survived by her brothers Stephen Chrostowski and John Chrostowski, and her sister-in-law Barbara Chrostowski.

As a devout Catholic, Ann Marie was a beacon of Christ’s love to all who knew her. Throughout her life, she had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother—especially Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal—St. Padre Pio, St. John Paul II, the Holy Spirit, and her guardian angel who guided and protected her all the days of her life.

Ann Marie graduated from Archbishop Wood High School in 1979 and later pursued higher education at Stony Brook University, where she earned her degree in 1983. She then went on to study at the Newark Beth Israel School of Perfusion Technology and at Villanova University, where she earned both a BSN in 2014 and an MSN in 2020 to become a Nurse Educator.

A dedicated healthcare professional, Ann Marie worked as a Respiratory Therapist and a Cardiovascular Perfusionist for 18 years, ensuring the success of open-heart surgeries, followed by a decade of pouring her heart into her children as a stay-at-home mom. Throughout that same decade, she studied and pursued her dream of becoming a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA/CPT) helping others to achieve their health goals.

At the age of 50, Ann Marie went back to school to pursue another dream, and she became a Registered Nurse. She graduated from Villanova's accelerated nursing program and dedicated herself to caring for her patients in Med-Surg Orthopedics, the Intensive Care Nursery, and Orthopedic Triage all at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Ann Marie found immense purpose in nursing. She loved nursing research, and she was nominated for and honored with The Pennsylvania Hospital Nursing Research Scholarship Award.

Outside of her professional pursuits and passions, Ann Marie’s life was filled with faith, family, and adventure. She loved attending Holy Mass, receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, and enjoying the vibrant community at St. Philip’s.

Whether spending summer days in Ocean City, Maryland sitting by her son Chris’ lifeguard stand, biking along the shore, or hiking with her son Michael at Valley Green, organizing the annual family reunion with her mother and aunt at their family’s beloved lake cottage, playing “coffee and cookies” with her granddaughter Lily and rocking her grandbaby Charlotte, or decorating her home and hosting Christmas, Ann Marie’s greatest joy was bringing her family together.

Ann Marie was a devoted homemaker, passionate about beautifying her home for her family, cooking, crocheting, gardening, and floral arranging. She created beautiful memories through hosting a variety of momentous Catholic events in the life of her family, from Sacramental celebrations to baby showers to birthdays and holidays. She was also an avid traveler, exploring Paris, Florence, Rome, Alaska, Maine, San Francisco, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, among many other destinations with her family.

On February 14, 2019, Ann Marie was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. She attended monthly healing services at Our Lady of Czestochowa. She participated in Bible studies with wonderful women at St. Philip Neri Church and attended St. Philip Neri’s Charismatic Prayer group. She continued to work full-time, enjoyed life, and kept the faith throughout all of her treatments. 

Ann Marie’s warmth and indomitable spirit will forever be remembered by her family and friends. Her love for the Lord and the abundant life that He invites us all to will continue to inspire and bless all who knew her.

Please join us in celebrating the gift of Ann Marie’s life!

Her Catholic funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Philip Neri Church in Lafayette Hill, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Monday, September 16, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Tuesday, September 17, from 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM, both at St. Philip Neri Church.

In Ann Marie's honor, the sacrament of Confession will be available the morning of the funeral from 9:30 AM to 10:45AM.  We especially invite you to take advantage of this opportunity if you haven't been to confession or Mass in awhile so you can be in full communion with the Church and be able to receive the Holy Eucharist at Mass—in other words, so you can receive God’s abundant mercy as Ann Marie desires.

Until that glorious day the Lord has promised, the resurrection of the body, Ann Marie’s corporal resting place will be at St. John Neumann Cemetery in Chalfont, PA. 

“The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”  — 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Memorial contributions may be made in Ann Marie's honor to: The Sisters of Life Convent, 1413 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, Pa 19122  OR  St. Philip Neri Church Flower Fund, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, Pa 19444. The celebration of Masses for the repose of her soul and for the peace and conversion of her family are encouraged.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330.
www.msrfh.com