Ann Fedeli

Ann Ellen Fedeli (Fairley), 76, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on August 15, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1950, in Canada, to Eugene and Doreen Fairley.

 

One of eight children, Ann grew up with her seven siblings in Millinocket, Maine, a place that remained close to her heart throughout her life. After marrying Joseph Fedeli, she moved to Manassas, Virginia, where they began building their life and family together. In 1989, the family moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Ann would go on to call Montgomery County home for many years, later living in Rockville and Silver Spring.

 

Caring for children was a thread that ran throughout Ann's life. During the 1990s, she and Joe opened their home to foster children through Catholic Charities, providing care and a home to many children who needed one. That same compassion became an important part of her professional life. Ann worked as a special educator with Montgomery County Public Schools, specializing in the Infants and Toddlers Program, where she dedicated herself to helping young children and their families.

 

Later in life, Ann married Stephen Rice, with whom she shared many years and another chapter of her life. Stephen passed away in 2025.

 

Ann was the mother of four children: Catherine, whose husband, Woody, passed away in 2023; Mark and his wife, Amy; Matt and his wife, Cindy; and Joanna. She was a loving grandmother to Catherine and Woody's children, Ally, Jackie, JJ, and the late Vincent; Mark and Amy's children, David, Alexander, Luca, and Emelia; and Matt and Cindy's children, Zachary and Caitlyn.

 

Ann is also survived by her siblings, Patricia Rubin, Stephen Fairley, Marie Maffey, Elizabeth Fairley, Richard Fairley, and Sheila Burns, as well as many nieces and nephews to whom she was a beloved aunt. Her family was an important part of her life, and she treasured the time she spent with them.

 

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Doreen Fairley; her brother, Michael Fairley; her grandson, Vincent, who passed away in 2005; Joseph Fedeli, the father of her children, who passed away in 2012; her son-in-law, Woody, who passed away in 2023; and Stephen Rice, who passed away in 2025.

 

Ann had many interests and found happiness in both creativity and the simple pleasures of everyday life. She loved knitting and crafting and was especially known for making afghan blankets for others. She tended lovingly to her plants, enjoyed line dancing, reading, and watching her favorite British television shows. She also loved traveling back to Maine, returning often to the place where she grew up and that always remained a special part of her life.

 

Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a devoted member of her church community. Her faith, compassion, and desire to care for others could be seen throughout her life, from the children she welcomed into her home to the children and families she served through her work.

 

Ann will be remembered for her dedication to children, her creativity, her faith, and above all, her love for her family. Her legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren, in the many children and families she helped throughout her life, and in the countless things she created and shared with others.

 

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.

 

A memorial service celebrating Ann's life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Oakdale Methodist Church, 3425 Emory Church Road, Olney, Maryland 20832. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the church.

 

In gratitude for the exceptional and compassionate care Ann and her family received from Casey House and Montgomery & Prince George's Hospice, those wishing to honor Ann's memory may consider making a donation to support their work. Casey House provides compassionate inpatient hospice care and comfort to patients and their families during some of life's most difficult moments.

 

Donations may be made in Ann's memory through the Montgomery & Prince George's Hospice donation page:

https://montgomeryhospice.org/donate-pg/donate-now/