Anna May Park

Our gracious, beautiful mother, Anna May Park, could always find a way to make conversation with just about anyone and make them feel valued. She loved meeting new people and learning about them. Although her fun-loving, indomitable spirit was determined to make it to her 100th birthday, she passed just two months shy of that January goal. We are grateful for the wonderful memories we have of our loving mom with the most unforgettably beautiful smile.

A fourth-generation descendant of California pioneers, she was born, raised, and educated in Hollister. Anna May grew up on her family's apricot ranch on Westside Road with her brothers, Ben Thomas and Dan Thomas, and her sister, Lenita Thomas. Her father, Leonard Lyon Thomas, planted the original Blenheim apricot orchard in 1894. Her great-grandparents, Mary and John Smith, settled in South San Benito County near Bitterwater in 1860.

During World War II, she worked at the Hollister Naval Air Station. After the war was over, she transferred to the Alameda Air Station, where she lived with her sister, Lenita Thomas, who was a pharmacist there. She then returned to college and graduated from San Jose State with a degree in Merchandising.

She met our dad, Earl "Tata" Park, at a wedding engagement party on Fourth Street in Hollister. Her family thought he was too wild for her and tried to discourage the match. Eventually, they eloped to Carson City, NV. At the time of our dad's death in 2003, they had been married for 54 years.

"Tata" and "Tommie" lived in Redwood City, Palo Alto, and Los Altos Hills for ten years. Daughters Wendy and Shelley were both born in Stanford Hospital.

In 1959, they returned to Hollister to become partners with Anna May's brothers, Ben and Dan Thomas, operating the family dried apricot business, Thomas Orchards. Anna May was the bookkeeper/treasurer. In the late 1960s, Thomas Orchards was the largest independent producer of dried apricots in the state.

When our dad learned how to fly an airplane, she was determined to learn to fly as well. She became the first woman pilot in San Benito County to earn a pilot's license. They owned and flew four different types of airplanes over the years. Anna May was proud to be a Charter Member of the Monterey Bay Ninety-Nines, an organization for licensed women pilots.

Together, our parents had many adventures traveling around the world and making new friends wherever they went. They had a special love for Hawaii after Earl took a job on Oahu in 1970. They returned to Hawaii often and enjoyed many joyful reunions with her beloved cousin, Gwen Botti.

She lived in her home with the loving help of caregivers and was at home with us when she passed. Our sincere gratitude goes to Cindy, Cora, Doris, Eunice, and Karla.

Beloved by many, she is survived by her two daughters, Wendy Park Zirbel of Ventura and Shelley Park Nabal of Santa Cruz, and long -time ranch manager, Arturo Fernandez of Hollister. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Brian Zirbel, Lauren Zirbel, Dane Nabal, Ian Nabal, and six great-grandchildren. Eternal gratitude goes to Leonor Fernandez, her guardian angel.

A private service is planned. Donations in her memory may be made to the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation or to the donor's selected charity.