Obituary of Mary Louise Giannangeli

Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Giannangeli, 86, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died on July 7, 2020 after a brave battle with Alzheimer's disease. Friends and family will miss this determined, strong, and kind woman.�Born on November 14, 1933, Mary Lou grew up in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania with her parents, Joseph A. and Elizabeth A. Grieff. Alongside her siblings, Mary Lou attended school and helped her parents operate a grocery store in their basement. She graduated from St. Ann's High School in Lansford, Pennsylvania in 1951. She later earned a certificate in stenography from Allentown Business College in 1952.Mary Lou married Anthony R. Giannangeli on December 27, 1954. Anthony served in the United States Air Force, which moved them to a variety of cities across the United States and Canada. The Giannangelis settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado.On Easter Sunday, April 2, 1972,�Lt Col Giannangeli's EB-66C plane was shot down while fighting in the Vietnam War. He received an honorary promotion to Col while in MIA status. His remains were never recovered. Mary Lou became a single mother of six children. With determination, courage, love, strength, and humility she rose to the occasion. She always had time to offer encouragement and support to those in need. Mary Lou devoted her life to raising her children. Even with her hands full and not much time for herself, Mary Lou found ways to live her life to the fullest. She made lifelong friends with classmates, fellow military wives and teachers, and neighbors.�Mary Lou made many sacrifices to attend the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs while raising her children. She proudly earned a B.A. in history and went on to tutor American History and teach English as a Second Language from 1989 to 2007. She loved her students like family.�Her impact and memory live on through her siblings, children, and grandchildren.�Mary Lou is survived by her children, Robert (Peggy), Dennis, Marie (Jim), Ann, John (Janette), and Kara; her siblings, Joseph (Helen) Grieff and Annette (John) Glucksnis; and her grandchildren, Nina, Ben, Marissa (Derek), and Lauren.�She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Alfred "Rusty" Grieff, John Grieff; and her infant twins, born in Canada in 1964.Services to honor Anthony and Mary Lou are listed as the following.Rosary, 6:30PM, Thursday, September 2, 2021, Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 927 North Logan Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.Memorial Mass, 9:30AM, Friday, September 3, 2021, Divine Redeemer Catholic Church, 927 North Logan Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909. Graveside Service, 12:00PM, Friday, September 3, 2021, United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, Air Force Academy, Colorado 80841. Drivers with a DOD card (military ID) may enter through either the South Gate or North Gate. Their passengers must have a valid drivers license or passport. Drivers and passengers without a DOD card must enter through the North Gate with a valid drivers license or passport (subject to change by Sept 3rd)�Memorial Mass and Graveside Service will be streamed live. The links to watch the Services will be located in the Events section below the obituary on Mary's Tribute Wall.Reception, 1:30PM, Friday, September 3, 2021, The Club at Flying Horse, 1880 Weiskopf Point, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80921. Memorial contributions in Mary Lou's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org); Catholic Charities of Central Colorado (CCharitiesCC.org/donate); National League of POW/MIA Families (pow-miafamilies.org); or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org). Events Rosary Thursday, September 2, 2021 6:30PM Divine Redeemer Catholic Church 927 North Logan Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-633-5559 Memorial Mass Friday, September 3, 2021 9:30AM Divine Redeemer Catholic Church 927 North Logan Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-633-5559 Graveside Friday, September 3, 2021 12:00PM United States Air Force Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, CO Phone: 719-328-179 Reception Friday, September 3, 2021 1:30PM The Club at Flying Horse 1880 Weiskopf Point Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Phone: 719-328-1793 Final Resting Place United States Air Force Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, CO