Anna Marie Ward

A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, August 13 at 2 p.m., followed by a reception where the family will receive friends, at Culley’s MeadowWood Timberlane Road Chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to Triple R Horse Rescue, P.O. Box 494, Tallahassee, Fla., 32312.

Anna was born and raised in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, as the only daughter with 3 brothers. She lived in New Jersey until 1978, when she and her family relocated to Falmouth, MA. In 2008, she moved to Tallahassee, FL where she happily lived her remaining years.

Anna LOVED people. She talked to everyone and could easily get even strangers to smile and tell their stories. For this reason, Anna was the well-known manager of the video store in North Falmouth, Massachusetts. She had a heart of gold, sometimes hidden behind the tough Jersey girl shield. If Anna thought you needed help, a shoulder, a ride, a loan, a roof, food – and beyond – she was there for you as the first to volunteer. She loved to play games with her friends and family, but her all-time favorite was Scrabble, complete with a dictionary ready to debate “real” words. Anna enjoyed movies on the big screen with a large popcorn and Diet Pepsi. She had a green thumb and loved to work in her yard full of beautiful plants and flowers.

Lastly, it is important to mention Anna’s love for the Christmas Season. It was 12 months a year. First, because she was a Christian, but secondly, she really loved to shop. In February, she would start asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas so she could shop all year round and hide the gifts in the closet until it was time to start wrapping in July. Starting in October, the Christmas music would start, first in her car and then in her home. She loved the surprise factor when people opened their gifts. Each one purchased with love.

Anna is survived by two daughters, Stacie Leeds and Stephanie (Eric) Sutton of Tallahassee; her grandchildren, Jordyn Baily and Stephen Baily of Fort Myers and Gretchen Sutton, Stella Sutton, and Lauren Culp of Tallahassee; her brothers, Edward (Barbara) and Calvin (Mary) Sandt of Cape Coral and Kenny (Cheryl) Sandt of Tallahassee. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Leeds (Kathy Stafford).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CulleysMeadowWood.com for the Ward family.