Ann W. DeYoung

HAMPTON - Ann Wythe Sinclair Allen DeYoung Ph.D., 76, a native and lifelong resident of Hampton passed away on Dec. 6, 2008, at home with family and friends by her side.
In her youth, she raised and showed ponies/horses, dogs and cats. Horseback riding and fox hunting were among some of the sports she enjoyed through the many woodlands of the Tidewater area.
As an adult, she had a lifelong desire to be an educator and facilitator. Ann worked 50+ years for the Hampton City School system. She enjoyed her interactions of working with and helping people, to even include the many and various civic and professional organizations to which she belonged. She was also a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Hampton.
In her maturing years, she discovered the joy of traveling. She has traveled to all 50 states in the U.S., on three continents, and voyaged numerous times in two oceans.
In her later years, she developed pulmonary fibrosis, but with her strong will and self determination she still thrived on traveling with family members and friends, caring for pets, furthering her education to earn her Ph.D., and building memories of togetherness for her family. Together the family united and prospered from her strength and wishes thus receiving her final victory on Earth into eternal life in a peaceful acceptance.
Preceding her in rest is her husband, John DeYoung Ph.D.; parents, Francis Mallory and Mollie Allen Sinclair; and brother, Thomas Lowry Sinclair.
She is survived by her three children, Brenda LaFrance (Alan), Dan Allen (Patricia), and Valerie Gibson (Gale). She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends and family from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Gibson residence. The celebration of her life will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Thorpland Cemetery, 1612 Victory Blvd, Yorktown, VA 23693. Following the service, family and friends are invited to visit at the home of Barbara Sinclair.
Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity or to the Thorpland Cemetery Fund, 301 Wilson's Farm Lane, Yorktown, VA 23693.
Friends are invited to visit the web site www.mem.com, to share fond memories and words of comfort. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666 View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.