Ann H. BANNARD

BANNARD, Ann H., died June 14, 2014 surrounded by loving, admiring family following a courageous battle with cancer. In her final days she gratefully told family, "I have lived the life I wanted to life." And what a life it was. Born November 19, 1927, she grew up in Winnetka, Illinois. She was a proud graduate of Sweet Briar College in Virginia, and then moved to New York City. As would become the trademark of her life, she worked there on behalf of others. She volunteered at a children's hospital while working as an illustrator for a greeting card company. After returning to the Chicago area, she was introduced to her future husband, Yorke, at a small Winnetka ice cream shop. It was the beginning of a true love and marriage lasting more than 60 years. Ann expanded her passion for art and began what would be a long career as a sculptor. Early works for the Hadley School for the Blind (Winnetka) and several churches were just the beginning. After moving to Tucson, she captured her love of the desert and its animals in many of her sculptures-some of which were taller than she! She was commissioned to create pieces for the Portland, Oregon Zoo, a park in Bend, Oregon, numerous Tucson churches, libraries and museums. But, perhaps, her proudest piece ("Giving Us Wings") was commissioned by Sweet Briar's class of '49 for their 50th reunion celebration and is prominently displayed on campus. Ann was very active in the Tucson community, sharing her love of art and reading with all ages. Never one to stop learning herself, she attended many classes and was very involved with the University of Arizona. Recently she proudly completed an extensive training program at Sabino Canyon to become a Volunteer Naturalist. She felt fortunate to travel the world not only seeing landmarks on every continent, but also establishing lasting friendships along the way. More than anything else in her blessed life, Ann loved and cherished family. She is survived by Yorke; sons, David Yorke (Acton, MA) and Douglas Page (Phoenix, AZ); daughters-in-law, Mary and Courtney; grandchildren, Anderson, Ellis, Morgan, Heath and Charles; brother, Kenneth M. Henderson of Evanston, IL; many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Memorial Services are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial donation be made to Habitat for Humanity, Tucson. Community Food Bank, Tucson, or any other charity-continuing Ann's desire always to put the needs of others first. Arrangements by NEPTUNE SOCIETY.