Ann Frigyesi Garriott

Ann Frigyesi Garriott

Alexandria, VA - Ann was born in Sopron, Hungary on September 17, 1955 to Ferencz (Frank) and Anna Frigyesi. She passed away peacefully on January 22, 2021 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Soon after her birth, the Hungarian Revolution forced Ann's parents to flee their homeland. With Ann, eighteen months old at the time, they narrowly escaped to Austria and in 1957 they arrived in South Bend, Indiana. Ann's sister, Maria, was born later that year.

Growing up in a Hungarian household, Ann started first grade at Our Lady of Hungary School without knowing the English language. Undeterred, she quickly established herself as an exceptional student. Ann entered Marian High School In 1969 and flourished as an Honor student. In 1977 she graduated magna cum laude from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Thereafter, she earned a Juris Doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1980.

While in Law School, she met the love of her life, Gale Garriott. They were married in 1981 and then relocated to Arizona. For most of her legal career she was a prosecuting attorney for city and state governments. Later in life, Ann found a special passion as a realtor. Ann made Arizona her home for over thirty years and she enjoyed sharing her time there with a special group of loving friends.

Throughout Ann's life, her children were a source of pride and great joy. She fiercely protected them, and they lovingly nicknamed her, "Mama Bear." Ann had a clear sense of how life should be lived and taught her children to become well turned-out adults whom others would respect.

In 2014, Ann moved to Alexandria, Virginia to join her husband because of his job relocation. She embraced the culture of the Washington, D.C. metro area and formed many special friendships there.

Ann was a beautiful person, both inside and out. She was elegant, charming, generous, and playful - classic with a twist. She would entertain everyone with the kind of witty humor that caused listeners to burst out with laughter. She was an amazing problem solver and rarely missed finding the perfect answer. She had a remarkable eye for quality and an unmatched talent for making everything and everyone in her family look and feel better. Her energy was contagious and doing anything with her was always memorable. She had a presence that cannot be replaced.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, is survived by her husband, Gale, their two children, Lexi and Andy, and her sister Maria Frigyesi Etling.

A celebration of life memorial service starting at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow is planned for March 19, 2021 at the Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (https://www.messingermortuary.com). To view a live stream of the service, click on the following link: https://vimeo.com/519231557.