"Annie: A Star Brightly Shinning"

When I was flying back home to Tucson last Wednesday morning after having been with Ann and Tom as she quietly left this planet, I was reminded about a gift I had given Ann for her birthday a number of years ago...a star.  I did all the formal stuff for the International Star Registery, who it was for, etc. and when it came to name the star, I named it "Annie".  I know that I won't have to ask Tom for the exact coordinates - the next time I look at the constellation Aries, it will be the star shinning the brightest.  It will be be reflecting her beautiful eyes and her smile - in the days, months and years ahead, I will look to "Annie" and I know that she will guide me always, just as she will guide all of us who loved her so.

I first met Annie eight years ago this month when I did the first archival survey for Dinosuar.  We connected in a way that is rare - and our work together produced some of the best cataloged archives for the NPS.  She taught me about natural history records, their importance, and together we developed new standards for those materials.  I am a better professional because of her.  We were blessed to be able to work together at so many incredible places - Grand Teton being among the top.  We just spent a week together at Capital Reef and were looking forward to our next three trips this year together...again to the Tetons, Rocky Mountain and at Acadia.  We were both so thankful to Joan at Colorado NM that whe had agreed to let Annie work with the IMR museum program - really with archives....I cannot express enough, what an amazing woman Joan is, and I am so happy that Ann was at last being treated as the consumate professional that she truly was.  Ann loved being a division chief, and she did it well. 

But, as Annie often, and lovingly reminded me, the professional world paled in comparison to our personal world.  It is hard to express how one beautiful person can influence and change your live forever - but she has done that for me in so many ways.  She was with me wihen I bought my first pair of real hiking boots...I can still hear her telling me "Lynners, if your feet are happy, you will be happy"!  And when I came back from work trip in Alaska seven years ago there was a box from REI - it was my first CamelBak...the note said something like I hope this brings you much joy for all you have yet to discover.  And with Ann, I have discovered some of the most beautiful places, and for that I am forever grateful. It will be hard to hike the Cascade Canyon in the Tetons this summer, maybe next summer...and she will be there, leading the way.

The stories being written here are truly amazing, and a great source of comfort.  It is a continual reminder of how many lives this beautiful woman touched...I know, I am one of the lucky ones.

I take solace in the fact that the Angels in heaven are celebrating, for one of their own has truly come home.

Lynn