Anna-Marie Elizabeth Zacaroli

Anna-Marie (Annie, Auntie Lumps) Elizabeth Zacaroli, 40, passed away on May the 15th following a 10-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. 

Annie was born on February 7th, 1985 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to Kathleen (Szwet) and Richard Zacaroli. While  living in Barrington, Illinois as a child, Annie created lasting memories with her family including older sister Jennifer and older brother Daniel; and childhood friend Chrissy, with whom Annie stayed friends for 35 years. In 1996, Annie’s family moved to Italy where Annie would spend the remainder of her elementary and high school years creating an indelible impression upon the American Overseas School of Rome, from which she graduated from in 2003. While in high school, Annie further cultivated her passions by finding her style and flair through painting, drawing, and many other artistic expressions. To fuel her passion toward competition, Annie competed at varsity soccer, which led to many opportunities to see Europe and other parts of Italy through participation at tournaments. After graduating from AOSR, Annie moved to Florida to attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

After a few years in Florida, Annie moved back to the Chicago suburbs for a year before moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2006. After working at a few restaurants and cafes, Annie would eventually find her way to Big Daddy Bagels in 2008 where she would also meet her husband-to-be, Sean on Valentine’s Day. In 2009, the two were wed in Lyons, CO on a gorgeous 70 degree day in October. After more life changes and Annie’s cancer diagnosis in 2015, the couple bought their first home in Nederland, CO. 

Through various cancer treatments and all the things that cancer can take away, Annie maintained a relative optimism, living in the moment as she always had, and refused to allow cancer to define her. She always stayed true to herself, and did what she had to to be able to live in the moment for as many moments as she could hold on to.

After stepping down as manager of Big Daddy Bagel’s flagship store in April of 2018, Annie took over the management responsibilities for New Moon Bakery, located a short walk from her home in Nederland. Annie quickly established herself as an amazing manager. Not only was she an exceptionally talented leader, Annie opened her heart and care to the community as well. Even up until the Monday morning before her passing, Annie was still running the bakery from the hospital with text messages, phone calls and meetings. She wanted to make sure that she did all she could for the staff and regular patrons of New Moon before she was gone.

Annie will be remembered differently to all those whom she touched but with a remarkable throughline: She genuinely cared for each of those whom she loved. With birthdays scrawled on calendars and reminders on phones and scheduling apps, Annie was always living in the moment for herself while also focusing her attention on someone else and how she could facilitate a moment of joy for them for a time in the future.  Those who have ever received a handmade, one-of-a-kind card from Annie knows exactly what that means.

A few days before Annie passed, when she could still clearly communicate, Daniel asked “What do you think about when you stare out for long periods of time?” Annie looked at him and replied “I’m thinking about everyone I have to leave behind.”  Annie was always thinking of and caring for others. Annie will be remembered for her unbelievable capacity to Love, she will remain legendary by how she showed that love. We’ll never forget how you’ll always make us feel. We love you, Always!

Annie was preceded in passing by her mother Kathleen who passed away in 2000 from metastatic breast cancer while the family was living in Rome.

Annie is survived by her devoted husband, Sean (Nederland, Colorado); her father, Richard and stepmother, Lori Tibbett (Sacramento, California); her sister, Jennifer McKillip and her husband Dan (Twin Lakes, Wisconsin); her brother Daniel and his wife Laura (Rome, Italy); her stepsister, Breidi Truscott Roberts (Davis, California); her stepbrother, Brandon Truscott (Payson, Utah) and her beloved nieces and nephews scattered through the World.

A Celebration of Life will be held late summer with specific dates and times still to be determined at Annie and Sean’s home in Nederland, CO. There will also be Celebration of Life events in California and Italy later in the fall. 

Sean, along with Annie’s family, have requested that donations instead of flowers be made to: TRU Community Care at www.trucare.org/donate or by mail at 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026.