Anna Marie Napoli

Dr. Anna Marie Napoli died on March 2, 2026 in her home at Plymouth Village in Redlands, California. She was eighty-two years old. 

Born to Albert and Marie Napoli in Queens, New York July 30, 1943, Anna grew up in a supportive Italian immigrant community of family and friends. She embodied their warm hospitality throughout her life, including the fine Italian cuisine she learned to prepare expertly and which she shared generously. 

A precocious student, Anna was admitted to a select high school program sponsored by Hunter College of the City University of New York. Going on to be a student at Hunter College, she received her bachelor’s degree. Next, she went to Tulane University and received her Phd in psychology. While there, Anna was chosen for membership in the Tulane Chapter of the Sigma Nu Society in 1968. 

In the Fall of 1969, Anna became an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Redlands and taught there for the rest of her active career. She was admitted to the New York Academy of Science in 1971. 

Mentoring students was at the heart of Anna’s teaching, and a number of them went on to doctoral study because of her. Active in various aspects of the university’s life, Anna took a keen interest in what the University described as developing both “head” and “heart.” A key involvement for Anna was her membership in the university’s Faculty Club from its founding onward. She was a member of its steering committee and attended its meeting just a few days before she died. The club had honored her with a special reception when she retired. Celebrating its forty-fifth anniversary in the week following her death, which Anna had planned to attend as an honored guest, the club included in that event a special memorial tribute to her. 

In the wider Redlands community, Anna took seriously the responsibility to foster “town and gown” relationships, a concern that she continued after she retired and was given emerita status by the university. Among other activities, she sang in summer Redlands Bowl productions, the annual Feast of Lights at University of Redlands, and with the Redlands Community Chorus until shortly before her death. Her Roman Catholic faith was a key part of Anna’s life, and she worshiped over the years at congregations in Redlands and San Bernardino as well as singing in the parish choirs and serving them in a variety of ways. She had a close relationship with the El Carmelo Retreat House of the Discalced Carmelite Order in Redlands, where she was a founding member of the auxiliary. 

Anna is survived by a host of students with whom she kept in contact after their graduations, amazing them by her remarkable memory of not only their names but family relationships and professional development. She is survived, as well, by campus colleagues, fellow parishoners and persons in the community who remember her with gratitude and affection. 

Her funeral mass will be held Friday March 27th at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 115 West Olive Ave, Redlands, CA. Rosary at 9:30, mass to begin at 10am. Private internment to follow at Hillside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside.