Boundless energy, unstoppable dog walks, and a well-hidden stash of good chocolate.
On August 14th, Anne lost a very short battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving behind a legacy of boundless energy, unstoppable dog walks, and a well-hidden stash of good chocolate. At 71, she possessed more drive than most people half her age and refused to let a single morning go to waste.
Known for her lightning-fast wit and refreshing, often brutal honesty, you always knew exactly where you stood with Anne. Yet beneath that straight-shooting exterior, she genuinely believed that "everyone has something to offer" and made a point of looking for the best in people. As a dedicated Avon representative for over 50 years, Anne never met a stranger—she could spark a lifelong friendship in a single grocery aisle or leave a new acquaintance feeling like family within minutes.
Her huge heart extended to every creature that crossed her path. Over the years, Anne dedicated countless hours to local rescues and shelters, nurtured endless litters of kittens, fostered countless dogs and cats, and routinely brought home injured wildlife in need of care. Rain or shine, she kicked off every morning with a relentless one-hour power walk through Waterworks Park, setting a pace so fierce that most people (and several dogs) had to jog just to keep up. Afterwards, she was happiest spending hours in her gardens, where she held a special affinity for tiger lilies and took immense joy in dividing plants and giving friends plant clippings to propagate in their own yards.
Anne was also a passionate believer in lifelong learning. Proving it is never too late for a new chapter, she went back to school in her 50s to become an esthetician, built a successful at-home business, and often enrolled in classes simply to feed her personal curiosity and interests.
When she wasn't pacing through the park, tending her flowerbeds, or attending weightlifting, Pilates, and ping-pong matches at the local senior center, Anne was on the hunt for a deal. A longtime thrift store volunteer and seasoned yard sale tactician—almost always spotted in her signature heart jewelry—she was infamous for her aggressive negotiation strategy: regardless of the asking price, Anne rarely offered anything above a quarter. And more often than not, she won.
Her boundless energy was fueled almost entirely by an enormous, unapologetic sweet tooth. Chocolate was a daily necessity and a lifelong passion. Her kids vividly remember growing up with a mother who routinely bought double the Easter chocolate—fully aware that she would raid their baskets early and need to make a last-minute replacement.
Anne is survived by her devoted husband, Lee; her children, Dan and Marka (Paul); her step-children, David (Teresa) and Leanne (Steve); her grandchildren, Natalie, John, Brayden (Michaela), Tanner, Brooke, and Brynn; her sister, Yolanda (Frank); her brother, Rick; and her loyal dog, Jake, who is finally getting a chance to catch his breath.
A celebration of life will be held on October 3rd.
If you would like to receive details regarding the celebration of life when they are decided, please submit your email address below and you will be contacted with details.
Your address will only ever be used to send details of Anne's celebration of life. It is not shown anywhere on this page.
Have a photo of Anne? Share it with your memory below.
Photos are reviewed by the family before they appear.
20 memories shared