Anne Therese Piper

Anne Piper, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Anne was born in Blue Island, Illinois, to Raymond and Margaret Feldner. She met the love of her life, Albert Piper, through a mutual friend at a get-together in the basement of St. George’s new school building. Anne and Al were married on September 21, 1963, at St. George Catholic Church, beginning a partnership that blossomed into nearly seven decades of love, mutual admiration, and adventure.

Together they built a home where they taught their children to be good people, stick together, and take care of each other. With Albert's unwavering support, Anne earned two master's degrees while working full-time and raising three kids. To those who knew them, Al and Anne’s relationship was a beautiful example of enduring love, loyalty, and companionship.

Anne was a loving wife, a devoted mother, a proud grandmother as well as a nurse, a gardener, a musician, and a stalwart supporter of her community and her church. She dedicated over 50 years to nursing, serving with compassion and professionalism, ensuring that our hospitals and nursing homes were safe and caring places. Equally important, she saw countless walk-ins in the Piper driveway- dispensing advice and TLC. Caring and advocating for others was not simply her career, it was her essence.

Faith was central to Anne’s life as demonstrated by her involvement with her parish communities which included St. George (a church her father helped build) and later at Incarnation Church. Music ministry is where she found a true calling as she served as organist, played weddings and funerals, and led the children’s choir. Her faith guided her actions and relationships, and she quietly touched countless lives through her example, always treating all people with equal respect and dignity as she had learned from her parents.

Anne grew up and played on the farm, which fostered her love of the outdoors. This was most intimately reflected in her passion for gardening. She always maintained a large garden of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and fauna. Later, she raised Monarch butterfly caterpillars and invited guest "pickers" sharing her enthusiasm and bounty with children. Her garden was a reflection of her nurturing spirit. In her kitchen, she prepared homemade meals and treats for every day, celebrations, and holidays over the years.

Anne is survived by her beloved husband, Al Piper; her children Kevin Piper, Eileen (Tony) Piper-Simpson, and Laura Piper; her cherished grandchildren Codi, Maggie, Asa, and Audrey; and her extraordinary siblings Sister Margaret Feldner, OSF, PhD, Raymond (Marge) Feldner, Michael (Arlene) Feldner, and Ellen (John) Norton, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Margaret Feldner; her sister Jane Feldner in infancy; and her brother Donald Feldner.

Visitation will be held Thursday starting at 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S Harlem Ave Tinley Park, Il 60477

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 9:30 AM at Incarnation St. Terrence Church, 5757 West 127th Street, Crestwood, Illinois. Burial will be held privately.