Ann E. Cotrupi

Cotrupi, Ann E.
BURNT HILLS - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Ann E. Cotrupi, who died peacefully in her home on March 15, 2026, after a short illness.
Ann is survived by her six children; 17 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren; her beloved brothers, John, Richard, and James Eddy; sisters, Paula Eddy-Demarco and Mary Jane Eddy-Smith; in-laws, Armonia Eddy, Kay Eddy, and Gerry Caron; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at her spiritual home of 50 years, Our Lady of Grace Church, in Ballston Lake, N.Y., on April 11 at 1 p.m.
Ann was born in Rutland, Vt., on February 22, 1934, to the late John J. Eddy and Pauline E. (Ryan) Eddy. Her earliest memories were of the Brock House, a hotel owned by her grandfather. There she roamed the halls with brothers, John and Dick, and, though a self-described "good girl," learned the art of mischief from them. She inherited the Eddy family's wry sense of humor and later recalled watching World War II newsreels, in which President Roosevelt urged the nation, "We can, we will, we must," a mindset she adopted when facing adversity.
When Ann's family moved next door to a local church, a bookshelf filled with stories of the saints became her favorite reading nook. After seeing a film about Joan of Arc, she had her hair "bobbed" in honor of the heroine. From an early age, Ann was drawn to the ideals of sacrifice and loving God and neighbor with all her heart.
She met her great love in typing class in high school and married Tony at age 21. Ann saw marriage and family as her great commission and vocation, a chance to make the world a better place. They had seven children in quick succession, and she loved being a wife and mother despite the challenges. As all young mothers can attest, those early years of sacrifice could be draining. "Some of the most important things I did in my life," she would later say with a smile, "nobody saw."
The family moved to Burnt Hills, N.Y., where Ann began a 25-year career at General Electric. She loved supporting GE scientists, honed her writing and communication skills, helped start GE's first Diversity Resource Council, and used her salary to help fulfill her and Tony's dream of sending all seven children to college.
After GE, Ann eagerly continued her education. She took classes at local colleges and became a devoted reader and writer. She joined book clubs and Bible studies, took "The Great Courses" online, and wrote a memoir (a bestseller within the family), along with poems, short stories, letters to the editor, and one "Suggestions for Church Renewal" to Pope Francis. At 92, she was still learning, experimenting with new recipes and happily immersed in Augustine's Confessions.
Ann's great gift was her ability to listen and to love. In a world with many kinds of strength, she was a quiet warrior who believed that nurturing her faith through study, love of family, and lifelong relationships gave her the strength to transcend seemingly insurmountable challenges. She felt that a life grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ could bring great peace of mind despite life's inherent sorrows and concerns.
At her retirement party, co-workers wrote what they appreciated most about Ann. Nearly 50 slips of paper expressed some version of compassion or kindness. She kept them, recognizing that perhaps the most important measure of a life is how we make others feel.
With Ann, we have lost a true best friend. In her absence, our hearts are broken but our souls rejoice.
Ann is survived by her children, Lizanne M. Bruce (Eric), St. Simons, Ga., Paula Jean Lange (Brian), Baltimore, Md., Karen Mary Thornton (James), Scotia, N.Y., Anthony J. Cotrupi (Liz), Cohasset, Mass., Paul J. Cotrupi, Ballston Spa, N.Y., and Andrew F. Cotrupi (Jennifer), Portsmouth, N.H.
She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony F. ("Tony") Cotrupi; daughter, Mary Margaret ("Meg") Cotrupi-Caruso (Michael); grandson, Theodore ("Teddy") Thomas Cotrupi; niece, Isabel Ann Eddy; brother, Robert E. Eddy; and brother-in-law, Vincent Paul Smith.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local hospice.