Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wages & Sons Funeral Home - Gwinnett Chapel on Apr. 11, 2024.
DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT
Annika Sophie Uggla died at age 66 in her home in
Lawrenceville, Georgia on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from complications with lymphoma.
BIOGRAPHY
Annika was born November 15, 1957 in Gothenburg, Sweden, the second child of Claes Uggla and Britta Engberg. She immigrated to the United States in August of 1977 with her family. Annika met Paul Gervais of
Oakville, Connecticut in 1986 and had three children together before moving to Georgia and marrying in 1993 and again in 2014 (a very long story). Annika was a passionate and charming salesperson throughout her career at companies including Mills Floral Company, Global Industrial, and HD Supply. She never met a sales goal she couldn't exceed and consistently brought home the bacon. Known at her various workplaces as a social butterfly and for her upbeat catchphrases such as "Good morning, happy people," Annika spread sunshine wherever she went while keeping her eyes always on the prize. A notoriously clever and motivated lady, Annika loved the competition of sales and found herself easily driven to succeed in her many roles. Outside of work, Annika's many titles included Mama, Mommy, Momika, and "my lovely bride." In her later years, she loved spending weekends going on joy rides for little treats with her three adult daughters and visiting craft fairs and local art festivals. She enjoyed being creative, especially in the kitchen. Annika loved to entertain her many friends and always kept her door open for the visitors who came and went throughout the years. She also celebrated and shared her Swedish culture, always looking forward to the Swedish holidays including the celebration of St. Lucia, "Swedish Christmas," Midsommar, and Easter. She was known for her talent of rolling up the most perfect Swedish meatballs. She loved late night conversations in the kitchen, being way too good at Wheel of Fortune, and reading several books in a single day. Annika expressed throughout her life how much she loved Spring flowers, the South's humidity, setting a Smorgasbord, twirling in a floral or polka dotted skirt, and being easily amused. She also was seldomly caught without a song on her lips, despite her questionable singing voice.
FAMILY DETAILS
Annika is survived by her trophy husband Paul Gervais and daughter Robin Pamela Uggla-Gervais, daughter Kate Alice Uggla-Gervais and husband Jonathan Edward Newton, and daughter Britta Sophie Gervais. She is also survived by her "darling older sister" Elizabeth "Sabina" and husband John Crystal and their two sons, as well as her brother Johan Uggla and family. She is survived by extended family members in Sweden.
Annika is also survived by the members of her chosen family, Nettie Lindblad, Anna Smith, and the rest of the Swedish crew.
Annika will be dearly missed by her cat Ripley (also known as Ripley Pipley Pop, Renfield, Pippi, and Rodney).
Annika is predeceased by both of her parents.
MEMORIAL SERVICE DETAILS
Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held as one on Sunday, April 21st between 2PM and 4PM at Wages and Sons in
Lawrenceville, Georgia – 1031 Lawrenceville Highway,
Lawrenceville, GA 30046.
The dress code for the visitation/COL includes one rule only: no black clothing. Colors,
florals, polka dots encouraged.
If unable to make the service, donations can be made in Annika's name to the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. Donation page link: https://mda.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=824&_gl=1*6x r133*_gcl_au*Nzk2MDMwOTU5LjE3MTMwNDU3MjE.*_ga*MjA5MjY0MDMzOC4xNzEz MDQ1NzIy*_ga_MLD8RSHHKE*MTcxMzA0NTcyMS4xLjAuMTcxMzA0NTcyMS4wLjAuMA..
CLOSING
The family would like to extend endless gratitude for the financial and emotional support provided throughout Annika's illness and passing. The family would like to especially recognize her sister and her fellow members of the Lake Nottely Swedish Boating Team.
"Regrets, I've had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much, much more
I did it, I did it my way."
"My Way" by Frank Sinatra