Ann had a smile that lit the room; one person described that twinkle in her eye and it was so true. She was always fun to be around; it was rare to see her angry, but watch out when she felt someone was wronged! She was always sticking up for the “underdog”. She had a soft, kind heart that was as big as all outdoors. She loved animals and hiking and kids and Tom.

I first met Ann at Dinosaur when my husband was stationed at the Quarry side and I was working for the Nature Association. Ann had recently become the “replacement” for Jim Adams at the Quarry. There were always lively discussions at the lunch table.

Ann had a wonderful sense of humor and a knack for playing practical jokes. It was best to keep packing peanuts out of her reach! I still see the image of bags of packing peanuts floating down everywhere in Dan Chure’s office as I opened the door. It was like a feathery snow storm. Of course, Dan was supposed to be the one to open that door so Ann and her accomplice had to repack all of the peanuts and reset the trap. I am sure Dan vowed revenge the next day when he opened that door.

When I heard she had left this life for her next, I felt such deep sorrow at her leaving. There seemed to be such a void in the earth. I know she has gone to another wondrous place and someday, God willing, we will be able to spend time with her again.