Ann LaVerne Jankowski

Ann LaVerne Jankowski passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 78 years old.

“Annie” as her family and close friends called her, was born on August 21, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the age of 9, she and her family embarked on a long train ride and moved to Long Beach, California. She graduated from David Starr Jordan High School and Long Beach State University with honors. Annie continued to excel in education by completing three Masters’ Degrees: Public Administration, Social Work and Counseling, respectively.

Annie applied her education to a distinguished thirty-six-year career with the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services. In her capacity as Division Chief of the Department of General Relief Planning she improved the lives of vast impoverished and homeless populations. Upon her retirement in 2006, she received accolades from Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Diane Feinstein and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Annie was proceeded in death by her parents, Walter and LaVerne Jankowski and her husband Stephen McCreight. She is survived by her beloved step-children Taaj Erin and Marc Roussel and Colleen and Ryan McCreight. She was a loving and devoted Grandmother to Julian, Max, Kingston (Prince), Bella, Noah and Aiden. She was also a loving oldest Sister and a Great Role Model to her five siblings, Walter Jankowski, Mary Callaway, Karen Hansen, Laurie VanWinkle and Susie Jankowski. Words cannot express how much we love her and will miss her.

Annie and her husband Steve were devoted members of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Chino Hills. They were ardent volunteers, teaching Marriage Classes in tandem for many years. Annie always had a calling to do charity work starting out as a Girl Scout as a child. She was a volunteer at every Catholic Church where she was a member. Annie also helped isolated Seniors by providing transportation and friendship. Annie received her last Master’s Degree at 61 years old in Counseling so she could counsel young girls and women who were pregnant and needed services and emotional support.

Annie will be remembered for the exemplary and unselfish life she lived. Her kindness and empathy touched so many people. The world is a better place because she resided in it for 78 years.

“While we’re here…

We can try to love a little deeper,

And burn a little brighter

And maybe, just maybe,

We make it a little softer here

For Someone."

That is how Annie lived.