Hester Ann Kennickell

A loving mother and grandmother, Ann Kennickell Hester died suddenly of heart failure on Saturday February 17, 2018. She had just celebrated her 74th birthday. Ann was born February 13, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, to Frances Wycoff Kennickell and Herman "Mac" McGolrick Kennickell, Jr. Mac was an Air Force chaplain and their family lived many places including Cuba. Ann graduated from the Mobile General Hospital School of Nursing and received an advanced degree in anesthesia. She married John C. Hester on Valentine's Day 1969. They lived in many locations around the U.S. and Europe while John served in the U.S. Airforce and later left active duty to work for GE. They settled in Ivy, Va. in 1984. Wherever they lived, Ann worked as a nurse anesthetist. She cared for people undergoing sedation for surgery. She would hold hands with anyone who needed that reassurance and was a capable and compassionate caregiver. In her well-chosen career and in her life, she never met a stranger and brightened the world with her friendly presence. She had four children she loved completely for who they are and worked hard to support them. Ann was a generous person in many ways. She had many friends and loved adventures and said yes to life. She was an avid reader. A life long Episcopalian, she completed the Education for Ministry program in recent years. She delighted most of all in her role as Granny to her four grandchildren. She loved taking on the role of her beloved paternal grandmother, Virginia Williams Kennickell who was called Grannie K. Ann shone her love on her grandkids. She was busy making treats in the kitchen, supervising messy art work, and reading endless picture books until her last day. She will be greatly missed by many family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband, John. She is survived by her children, Leah Crisp of Sylva, N.C., Karen "Blossom" Hester Dawes and her husband, Hawker of Crozet, Va., Patrick Hester and his wife, Harriett of Stanardsville, Va., and Sarah Catherine Thorston and her husband, John of Ivy, Va. Her four grandchildren are Elizabeth Haynes of Waynesville, N.C., Aurora and Hudson Dawes of Crozet, Va., and Margaret Ann "Maggie" Thorston of Ivy, Va. Her brother, Dave Kennickell of Raleigh, N.C. was a frequent visitor. The family wishes for the lives of Ann and John Hester to be remembered and celebrated with love. We welcome cards (addressed to 239 Turkey Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903) and emails (annhester@comcast.net) to lift our hearts with memories. Any donations in their honor should go to the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. Find them at www.westernrescue.org A service to remember Ann's life will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, 12 p.m. at Church of our Savior, 1165 Rio Rd. E., Charlottesville. A reception will follow.