Obituary of Ann Julia Alagna

Ann Julia Alagna passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024 at the age of 90 in Hamilton Township, NJ. She was born in New York, NY to Robert and Anna Brod. Ann attended Richmond Hill High School in Canarsie, NY where she made lifelong friends, received the Personality Award, and was given an Usher’s certificate in Girls’ Health Education.

Ann always lived her life with perseverance, motivation and independence. She was not deterred when her father would not let her attend a teaching college on a full scholarship because it was far away. Instead, she commuted from home and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Adelphi College (where she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority); a Master of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University; and later a Master of Arts in Teaching (Microcomputer Program) from Fairleigh Dickinson University, all while working full time. 

Ann was a lifelong educator of 30 years, starting her career at H. Frank Carey Junior and Senior High Schools in Franklin Square, NY as a teacher of health and physical education, continuing at Ossining Junior High School in Ossining, NY as a physical education teacher. Ann’s last 19 years of teaching were at Hillside Elementary School and Brookside Elementary School in Allendale, NJ where she taught 5th grade and supplementary reading and math. She always spoke proudly about the colleagues she worked with over the years and the former students who came back to thank her for helping them. Education was important to her, and she made many sacrifices so that her children could attend college.

After retiring, she and her husband of 60 years of marriage, Anthony, moved to Chapel Hill, NC. They became active members of Chris United Methodist Church and the Iron Dukes, and loved spending their free time volunteering in the Duke Basketball Ticket Office and attending Duke Football games. 

Ann’s happiest moments were spent with her family and five grandchildren, Emily and Andy Wiley, and Zach, Logan, and Lauren Alagna, who she called her pride and joy, especially on family beach vacations to Bald Head Island, NC and Corolla, NC. As Grandma, she always baked the best chocolate chip cookies for every occasion. 

Ann is survived by her brother, Robert Brod (Judy) of Atlanta, GA; her daughter, Julie Wiley (Peter) of Carbondale, CO; her son, Michael Alagna (Dina) of Freehold, NJ; her five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Anthony; and her brother, Gerald Brod. Services have been entrusted by Freeman Funeral Home.

Please take the time to thank a teacher in honor of Ann’s memory.