In Memory Of
Ann L. Hale
Ann L. Hale
Ann L. Hale, 78, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Brewster Place Assisted Living in Topeka. A celebration of her life will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sep. 4, 2011 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604.
Ann was born on August 17, 1932, in Tallassee, AL., to William Sterling and Ruth Middlebrooks Lane. Ann graduated from Tallassee High School in 1950 and from Troy State Teachers College with her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1953. She married Rev. Max Hale, Jr. later that year and was married for thirty-three years. She began her professional career as a school teacher, and as her family moved – from Alabama to Indiana and later to Kansas – she worked in social services, as a case worker, preschool teacher and administrator, and as director of disaster relief services at the American Red Cross. Working at the Red Cross in Topeka, serving communities across the state during natural disasters, was one of her most rewarding professional experiences. In 1987, Ann moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, closer to family, and worked in Vocational Rehabilitation Services, assisting hearing-impaired adults gain employment. She retired and moved back to Topeka in 2000, to be closer to her grandchildren. She joined the community at Brewster Place in 2006, and enjoyed welcoming new residents and making all feel at home. Ann always enjoyed working crossword puzzles, shopping, and music of all kinds, but most of all she enjoyed getting to know people. Ann had a generous heart and a welcoming spirit.
She leaves a sister, Betty Fowler (Bob) of Jupiter, FL; a brother, Bill Lane of Atlanta, GA; sister-in law Nancy Ragland (Bob) of Fairfax, VA; her children Mark Hale (Mary Lucia) of Laytonville, CA; Ruth Pooler (Bill) of Topeka, KS; Lisa Hale-Meindl (Michael) of Collierville, TN; and Mary Hale Tolar (Dwight) of Manhattan, KS. She also leaves her much loved grandchildren Erica Lewis; Katie, Hannah, and Haley Pooler; Alex Tolar; Grace Meindl; and great granddaughter Story Lewis. Aunt Ann also leaves her nieces and nephews Beth, Rob, Steve, Aime, David, Jennifer, Leslie and Tony, and great-niece Lilly. Ann's family extends well beyond her immediate relations and includes Bunny and Becky Wester of Marianna, FL, Marty Vallery of Auburn, AL, Orin Smith of Houston, TX, and all who knew and loved her.
The family wishes to thank the members of First Congregational Church of Topeka, and the staff of Brewster Place and Grace Hospice for all their kindness over the years, and especially in the last few weeks of her life. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Congregational Church,1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS 66604; Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611; or Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.
Ann was born on August 17, 1932, in Tallassee, AL., to William Sterling and Ruth Middlebrooks Lane. Ann graduated from Tallassee High School in 1950 and from Troy State Teachers College with her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1953. She married Rev. Max Hale, Jr. later that year and was married for thirty-three years. She began her professional career as a school teacher, and as her family moved – from Alabama to Indiana and later to Kansas – she worked in social services, as a case worker, preschool teacher and administrator, and as director of disaster relief services at the American Red Cross. Working at the Red Cross in Topeka, serving communities across the state during natural disasters, was one of her most rewarding professional experiences. In 1987, Ann moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, closer to family, and worked in Vocational Rehabilitation Services, assisting hearing-impaired adults gain employment. She retired and moved back to Topeka in 2000, to be closer to her grandchildren. She joined the community at Brewster Place in 2006, and enjoyed welcoming new residents and making all feel at home. Ann always enjoyed working crossword puzzles, shopping, and music of all kinds, but most of all she enjoyed getting to know people. Ann had a generous heart and a welcoming spirit.
She leaves a sister, Betty Fowler (Bob) of Jupiter, FL; a brother, Bill Lane of Atlanta, GA; sister-in law Nancy Ragland (Bob) of Fairfax, VA; her children Mark Hale (Mary Lucia) of Laytonville, CA; Ruth Pooler (Bill) of Topeka, KS; Lisa Hale-Meindl (Michael) of Collierville, TN; and Mary Hale Tolar (Dwight) of Manhattan, KS. She also leaves her much loved grandchildren Erica Lewis; Katie, Hannah, and Haley Pooler; Alex Tolar; Grace Meindl; and great granddaughter Story Lewis. Aunt Ann also leaves her nieces and nephews Beth, Rob, Steve, Aime, David, Jennifer, Leslie and Tony, and great-niece Lilly. Ann's family extends well beyond her immediate relations and includes Bunny and Becky Wester of Marianna, FL, Marty Vallery of Auburn, AL, Orin Smith of Houston, TX, and all who knew and loved her.
The family wishes to thank the members of First Congregational Church of Topeka, and the staff of Brewster Place and Grace Hospice for all their kindness over the years, and especially in the last few weeks of her life. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Congregational Church,1701 SW Collins, Topeka, KS 66604; Brewster Place, 1205 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611; or Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ann L. Hale, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Starts at 3:00 pm (Central time)
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