The wife of Mario Andretti has passed
Just under 60 years ago, Dee Ann Hoch was given the task of teaching English to an Italian immigrant. That immigrant was set to become a legend in motorsports, Mario Andretti.
Soon after, they became a couple. And in November of 1961, Dee Ann Hoch became Dee Ann Andretti.
Her husband hit the road for the world tour and more. F1, Indycar, NASCAR USAC and so much more. Andretti was soon a cross-breed racer with wins in all of it.
Meanwhile, his wife remained in a small town known as Nazereth, PA. She raised their three children. Few trips were made to the race track in recent years. Instead, she became the biggest Andretti fan, watching on the TV from Nazereth.
Last weekend, Mario Andretti went to Road America for the Indycar event. He stated that his wife needed everyone’s prayers as she remained in Intensive Care.
On Tuesday morning, Dee Ann Andretti passed away at age 76.
She is survived by her sons Michael and Jeff as well as her daughter Barbie Dee.
Racing community
Marco Andretti: “RIP Grammy Andretti. You will be missed!!”
Indycar ( Mark Miles, Hulman & Company President): “Everyone at Hulman & Company sends our condolences to the Andretti family on the passing of Dee Ann Andretti. She was the matriarch of one of the most prominent families in motorsports history.”
“It was with Dee Ann’s love and support that her husband, children and grandchildren have thrived in racing for more than five decades, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and around the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mario, their children Michael, Jeff and Barbie, and the rest of the Andretti family.”
