Annabelle Wekar Volz

1926 - 2025

Annabelle Wekar Volz

May 24, 1926 - Nov 12, 2025

On November 12, 2025, by all accounts a pleasant fall day in the Piedmont of North Carolina, Annabelle Wekar Volz made the final decision of her time with us. According to all reports the passing was painless, preceded by a wonderful calm that it was her time. That, of course, was to move on to her next adventure. Anne spent her life moving from one adventure to the next, never failing to rise to the occasion with grace and dignity.

Born in 1926, she came into this world during the heyday of the roaring twenties. Watched as she grew up attending public school in Niagara Falls New York. The hardship and suffering resulting from the economic collapse of 1929. Often thanking God that her father who worked for Swift & Company was able to keep his job. This shaping her gentle and kind nature, always willing to help those less fortunate. Graduating from Niagara Fall High School at the height of World War II. Making the bold choice for a woman at that time to attend Seton Hill College in Greensburg, PA. Graduation with a degree in education. Returning to Niagara Falls and accepting a teaching position in the boom of the post-war America.

But that adventurous spirit soon got the best of her and for reasons only known to her she applied and was accepted to teach in the Department of Defense schools, taking her first assignment in post-war Japan. Anne would often reminisce about the long travel to Japan and her first memory waking up on a train and seeing the miles of rice patties, excited to explore and absorb what this culture had to offer.

Little did she realize at that time the decision to travel halfway around the world would change her life forever. Innocently walking into the Bachelor Officers' Quarters, occupied by a bunch of cocky flyboys. That she would meet a young pilot serving drinks and cleverly using an ironing board as a bar. She meets William "Bill" Volz who was introduced to her as a pilot's pilot. They were married in Japan with full military pageantry, right down to exiting the church under a canopy of swords.

They spent the next 40 plus years together not just traveling the world but moving from one adventure to another. All the time Anne never lost her desire to teach. Focusing on primary education and demonstrating her ability to be a forward-thinking teacher. Embracing many cutting-edge techniques to the benefit of her students. Along way they somehow found time to have two surviving children, Amy Denison Volz and William "Bill" Volz Jr. After over 20 years of traveling they settled down for a while in Medford, NJ where Anne became the first Learning Disabilities Consultant licensed in the State of New Jersey. She worked for many years in that capacity for the Vincentown School District helping challenged children find their best path for success.

After years of work Anne and Bill decided it was time to retire, having had enough of the weather. They sought out warmer climate in Winston-Salem, NC whereby chance both of their children lived. They settled into retirement with Anne spending time volunteering at the Baptist Hospital Diabetic clinic. After a long illness resulting from some exposure during Bill's time in the military, Anne became a widow in 2004. She spent the next few years learning how to live alone and just enjoying life. As her health declined, she decided to move into Brookridge Nursing Home where she lived peacefully.

Anyone that knew Anne knows that she would not want you to mourn her passing but celebrate a life well-lived. She moves on to her next adventure reunited with her life partner, who I am sure greeted her as he always did with, "Where have you been?". She responded as she always, "Cleaning up after you."

The family will greet visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, November 17 at Salem Funeral Home, 120 S. Main St., Winston-Salem. Funeral Mass will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Anne will be buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

The family encourages donations be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina at secondharvestnwnc.org. Send condolences online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

120 S Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101