Celebration of Ann Joergenson's Life
For the friends and family of Ann Joergenson who would like to help celebrate her life by sharing comments, photos, or anecdotes about Ann's vibrant, loving spirit, please feel free to make comments or post to this blog. Please e-mail items (such as photos) to be posted to joergo@sbcglobal.net. Otherwise, you can post written comments directly by clicking the "comments" link beneath one of the photos below.
These posts are meant to be compiled and published for her friends and family.
The Celebration of Ann will be held in the evening on January 23rd. Contact the family for Details
The Ann Joergenson Memorial Fund at Exchange Bank will accept donations that will be used to rebuild a deteriorating outdoor deck at the home of her developmentally disabled daughter, Kari Olson, and her 5 other disabled housemates. Any monies in remain will be donated to Becoming Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community inclusion and participation for people with developmental disabilities.
Donations can be made out to The Ann Joergenson Memorial Fund and dropped off at any Exchange Bank or mailed to:
Exchange Bank
2416 Montgomery Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Tal: 707 524-3305
Please contact the family regarding details of a celebration for Ann. Travelers coming from out of town can find accomodations among other places at:
Vineyard Creek Hyatt
170 Railroad Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 284-1234
Please contact the family with any questions or comments.
Ann, I miss you already.
ReplyDeleteAnn always greeted my calls with enthusiasm, “Jill, I am so glad to hear from you.” At that moment I was always the most important person in her life, and of course, she became a very important person in my life, a friend, confidante, hiking buddy, teacher and my computer student.
I have several very vivid memories of our friendship. Ann looked so great the day we went to San Francisco and she was wearing her black leather pants that she could fit into again, because she had lost weight. Ann always looked great no matter what occasion, because she had the great accessory that was so artistic and fashionable or she put her clothing together in an unusual and flattering way. She always knew so much about the latest book that we might discuss, even after her first stroke, she surprised me with details that she remembered from a book that we had both read. She was so bright and well read. For quite a while, before Frank, she was quite lonely. So one day I had a chance to lead a Men’s Garden Club on a special hike at Bouverie Preserve. I asked Ann to help me and I told her that she should come, she might meet someone. Well the guys were really “little old ladies” who didn’t want to hike much and mostly wanted to talk to one another. It was obvious that they were gay, but Ann was such the nature enthusiast that she led a great hike. We had a good laugh about my efforts to find her a male friend later. Ann helped me so much when I had serious health problems; she was always available to talk and helped me make decisions.
Don and I have known Frank and Ann for such a long time, and they certainly became a loving and caring couple. What a wonderful relationship for both of them, Ann cared for Frank and he took such wonderful care of her. They both changed so much over all the years we knew both of them. They both became happier, healthier and certainly less lonely.
Most of all I remember how much she loved and was proud of her children, each one. She always had a story about Joerge, Kari and Erica. She loved her trips with Erika and was so thrilled about Kari’s progress. She spoke often of Joerg and Millie and was so grateful for all of their attention to her. She loved her family and had those wonderful family reunions on Kari’s important birthdays. Yes Ann taught us all how to be a beautiful person, we miss you. Jill Zumwalt