Annette S. Riccardi

Annette S. Riccardi, 86, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024, after a long illness. She was surrounded by her daughters.

Annette was born August 6, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah to John Harvey Hansen and Emily Etha Tuckfield. She was the youngest of five and had four brothers.

In June 1963, she married Oliver Leroy Sorensen, Jr. in Elko, Nevada. They resided in Taylorsville, Utah until Lee’s death in February 1971.

In October 1975, Annette married Leo Rocco Riccardi in Elko, Nevada. They combined their families to total 6 daughters between them. She was a fabulous mother and grandmother. Leo preceded her in death in 2018.

Annette spent her early years working as a bookkeeper for different businesses. She attended and successfully completed a two-year program at Victor’s Business School. She had a swift mind and could figure out any accounting system.

She spent 10 years working for non-profits including 7 years as the Business Manager for The Children’s Center, and 2 years as the Manager of Computer Operations for the United Way of Great Salt Lake.

At her heart of hearts, Annette was a people person. She loved interacting with people from all walks of life and established her own business in 1983. She began the business as The Great Find, a consignment store for gently used clothing. Her love for fashion quickly turned to formal wear, and she discontinued the used clothing to selling new bridal gowns and formal wear. She converted the business into Fantasy Bridal which she successfully managed and owned until her retirement at age 78.

Annette was wildly creative throughout her life. She could sew, craft, oil paint, make birdhouses, knit, re-finish furniture, and figure out or fix any problem. She loved to go antiquing, attend yard sales and swap meets where she would find collectibles. She also dearly loved all the dogs and cats she had in her lifetime. 

Annette moved into Cottonwood Creek Assisted Living in August 2022. She loved interacting with the other residents, particularly at mealtimes, playing Axes & Ales, bingo, and attending various exercise classes. 

Survivors include her daughters: Benetta (Dave) Williams of Ogden, Utah, Camille Tenney of Las Vegas, Nevada, Angela (Alan) Cummins of Loon Lake, Washington, Stacy Emma Lee of Erda, Utah, and Paula (Ray) Baca of Loon Lake, Washington; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; her brother G. Scott Hansen of Sandy, Utah, and many numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers (Earl T. Hansen, John Harvey Hansen, Jr., Ralph Karl Hansen), her husband Oliver Leroy Sorensen, Jr., her husband Leo Rocco Riccardi, and her daughter Carmen Ann Riccardi.

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Estates Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Following will be her interment at Memorial Estates. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Annette’s name could be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, her favorite charity.