Ann L. Richards

Ann Louise Richards, of Ormond Beach, FL passed away peacefully on Friday, November 8, 2019. Ann was surrounded by family while in the compassionate care of nurses and aides at Advent Health. Ann recently celebrated her 82nd birthday with family at the Halifax River Yacht Club and valued the time spent catching up with friends.

Ann was born on October 30, 1937, in the Bronx, New York to Albert and Margaret Kane. While a student at Preston High School, Ann won the dance contest on American Bandstand. Upon graduation from Preston, Ann worked as a bank teller. Ann married her “Everything”, James “Jim” Richards on September 26, 1959. This is when Ann embarked on what she loved hearing referred to as her career as a “Domestic Engineer”. When her youngest was a teen, Ann was happy to return to work and proudly accepted a position with the U.S. Census Bureau to help complete the 1980 census. Ann unconditionally supported Jim as he advanced in his career with Pfizer. This meant multiple relocations of family and home across the country (Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, California) and eventually to Australia. Throughout these years, Ann took great pride in raising her three children, encouraging them to pursue the sports/activities they loved, and studying the subjects at university that made them happy. She adored her grandchildren and when visiting, could be counted on to be field-side at any sport event, in the audience for dance recitals, and in attendance at school functions. Ann loved living in Ormond Beach and enjoyed nothing more than when her home was filled with family. Memories of walking on the beach to collect sea shells and spending time at the pool will be cherished by Ann’s family in the days ahead. In addition, Ann was very supportive of her many nieces, nephews, and cousins and built enduring and loving relationships with them. While living in New Jersey, she hosted many holiday events uniting her extended family.

In retirement, Ann traveled the world with Jim, family and friends, visiting six of the seven continents. Favorite trips included cruises around Alaska, and through the Panama Canal, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean. A woman who had a fear of cats somehow thoroughly enjoyed seeing and getting a little too close to the Big Cats while on Safari through the Serengeti Plains of Africa. This same woman who didn’t like to camp, enjoyed “roughing it” at Governor’s Camp while on this trip. Ann could always be counted “in” for trips with her sisters to play the slot machines in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. As an active member of the Halifax River Yacht Club, she participated in countless social events and was a member of The Commodears. Ann was also an unofficial “Social Director” for her condominium association. Recently, Ann became a member of the Elks Club. Ann was an avid sports fan and often knew more about the standings of her grandchildren’s university teams than they did. She never missed viewing her granddaughter’s collegiate soccer games online. Ann could often be found in the stands cheering for the Daytona Beach Tortugas Minor League Baseball team. She loved to read and was grateful for the many books loaned to her by friends. Most importantly, Ann was happiest spending time with cherished family and friends. She will be greatly missed by many; most of all by her family who will ensure the values taught and exemplified by Ann will continue.

Ann is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, James “Jim”; three children, John and daughter-in-law, Trisha of San Diego, CA; Kathleen “Kathy” and son-in-law Richard Molchan of Ormond Beach; Teresa (Terri) and son-in-law Dean Cardulla of West Windsor, NJ; and grandchildren: Adam (and wife Jill), Joshua, and Matthew Keele; Adrienne, Natalie and Melanie Cardulla; Taylor and Kamryn Richards; twin sister Patricia Spencer, younger sister and brother in law, Virginia and Rich Connolly; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A woman of deep faith, Ann took comfort in the belief she would be reunited with the loved ones who predeceased her.

Ann’s constant love and support will be missed.

Services are as follows: A Celebration Memorial Service held will be held on Friday, November 22, 2019, from 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, located at 548 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach. A Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, November 23, 2019, at 11:00 AM St Brendan the Navigator Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Blvd, Ormond Beach. A Committal Service will be held immediately following at Volusia Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to one of the following: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House, or the scholarship program for Preston High School, Bronx NY

Condolences can be shared with the family here at the Volusia Memorial Funeral Home and Park website.