Dee Ann Andretti Obituary (Update)

Mario and Dee Ann in 1969 after Mario won the Indy 500

UPDATE Michael Andretti tweeted: Contrary to what has been reported, my mother died of complications from open heart surgery at Penn Medicine

Full Obituary:

Dee Ann Andretti, 75, of Nazareth, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA. She was the loving wife of 56 years of Mario Andretti. Dee Ann was born July 10, 1942 in Allentown, PA. She was the daughter of the late Earl and Alethea (Transue) Hoch. Dee Ann graduated from Nazareth Area High School in 1960. She married Mario Andretti on November 25, 1961.

Dee Ann was the matriarch of the Andretti Family, the quiet strength behind her husband, children and grandchildren. The most important thing in life to her was having her family all together.

Dee Ann also served her community as a longtime Trustee for the Fund to Benefit Children & Youth of Allentown, a non-profit organization she strongly advocated for. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, of Nazareth.

In addition to her husband, Dee Ann will be deeply missed by sons, Michael Andretti and his wife Jodi, of Indiana, Jeff Andretti, of Arizona, daughter, Barbie Andretti-Curto and her husband Giuseppe, of Forks Twp.; Grandchildren, Marco Andretti and his wife Marta, Marissa Andretti, Lucca Andretti, Miranda Andretti, Isabella Andretti, and twins, Mario & Miata Andretti. Also by Nephew, Greg Hoch and his wife Jill.

She was pre-deceased by brother, Larry Hoch.

Family and Friends may gather for Calling hours on Thursday, (Tonight) July 5, from 5:00-8:00 PM and Friday, July 6, from 9:00-10:00 AM both times in the funeral home.

Services will be Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Joseph F. Reichel Funeral Home Inc., 220 Washington Park, Nazareth, PA 18064. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Holy Family Catholic Church, 410 W. Center St., Nazareth, PA 18064. Entombment will take place at Holy Family Cemetery Mausoleum, of Nazareth.

Dee Ann's family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Fund to Benefit Children & Youth, sent in care of the funeral home.

Mario and DeeAnn Long Beach 1988

07/04/18 Dee Ann Andretti, 75, of Nazareth, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA. She was the loving wife of Mario Andretti. Dee Ann was born July 10, 1942 in Allentown, PA.

She was the daughter of the late Earl and Alethea (Transue) Hoch.

In addition to her husband, Dee Ann will be sorely missed by sons, Michael Andretti and his wife Jodi, of Indiana, Jeff Andretti, of Arizona, daughter, Barbie Andretti-Curto and her husband Giuseppe, of Forks Twp.; Grandchildren, Marco Andretti and his wife Marta, Marissa Andretti, Lucca Andretti, Miranda Andretti, Isabella Andretti, and twins, Mario & Miati Andretti. Also by Nephew, Greg Hoch and his wife Jill.

She was pre-deceased by brother, Larry Hoch. Family and Friends may gather for services on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:00 AM in the Joseph F. Reichel Funeral Home Inc., 220 Washington Park, Nazareth, PA 18064. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Holy Family Catholic Church, 410 W. Center St., Nazareth, PA 18064.

Entombment will take place at Holy Family Cemetery Mausoleum, of Nazareth. Calling hours will be Thursday, July 5, from 5:00-8:00 PM and Friday, July 6, from 9:00-10:00 AM both times in the funeral home.

There will be full obituary published tomorrow Thursday, July 5, 2018.