Our family was saddened by the death of Ann on May 11, 2006.
After the service, family was able to comfort
Even though many of us were unable to be with you at this
time, We love you all! The Eulogy, written by friend Opal... How can I capture and compress the spirit, life and precious momories of our dear Ann in just a few minutes? Her sisters and children can give many more impressions and memories of Ann than I, but let me share a few... First, let me give you a bit of background information. Ann was born in a prairie town of Waldheim, Sask., one of seven children, five girls and two boys. All have become ministers, teachers, or nurses. Ann attended public school through high school in Saskatchewan, then studied at Canadian Union College for a couple of years. My first meeting with Ann was in the fall of 1951 when she came to work at the General Conference. The lady who introduced Ann asked me if I knew of a room she could rent. I mentioned that mother would have a room ready by the end of the month. At the end of the month, Ann moved in and then really became a part of my life. We worked in the same department, always walked to and from work together. On Sabbath, she would ride to church with us, and most every week mom would say, "Go upstairs and tell Ann to come down to dinner. It's no fun eating alone, and we've got plenty." So you see how ann really became one of the family. Burton and his family lived only a few blocks away, so Burton got acquainted with Ann shortly after her arrival in Takoma Park. Often on Sabbath afternoons, Ann and I and Burton and his family would go to Great Falls to jump rocks or hike up Sugar Loaf Mountain or perhaps a picnic in Rock Creek Park. We spent a couple of happyyears together in Takoma Park, then one day two officers of the Inter-American Division came to the General Conference for meetings. They talked to me about transferring to the Division office in Miami, Florida. They said they needed two secretaries, did I have any suggestions. I merely said, "You might check with my roommate who works up on thrid floor." In January 1954, we found ourselves working for the Inter-American Division in Miami, Florida. We did love the beach and went about every week, learned to water ski and occasionally enjoyed supper at the beach after a swim. At just such an occasion, Ann met Harry Garrett, her husband-to-be. They were married in January 1958 and moved to the Orlando area. We still kept in touch and visited whenever possible. Some years later, Ann and her family returned to the Miami area and she again worked for the Inter-American Division as secretary to Elder George Brown. We were so happy to be close together again. After her husband died in April 1982, she was alone for many years and came to visit me in North Carolina a few times. Ann and I continued our close friendship; we took a week's vacation at the beach and we took a European tour by bus. On that trip we had a grand time! When Burton moved to Avon Park in 1992, Ann was living but a few blocks away. So again Burton, Willa and Ann visited back and forth as friends. Most of you know the rest of the story. Now let's look at a different aspect of Ann's life. She never criticized anyone, never had bad things to say about people, even-tempered and cheerful. When I read Galatians 5:22 listing the fruits of the Spirit, I immediately see how they characterized her life. Let's think about each one. "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, faith..." Don't you see how these were evident in her life. In her long illness, she never complained, never had a word of self-pity, "Why me?", but accepted what came. Yet Ann was a woman of spirit of ambition. She always wanted to be active, to go places, to do things. Rightfully, Ann can say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at the day..." II Timothy 4:7 It is not "goodbye, Ann" but "Until later."
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