Ann Irene Wanamaker Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ann Irene Wanamaker passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on June 5th, 2022 in Visalia, California. Ann was born on October 28, 1937 in Glendale, California to her parents, Irene Margaret (Christian) and Chester Earl Wanamaker. Her parents were originally from Massachusetts, but moved to the Los Angeles area in California on their honeymoon to work in the budding movie industry. Most of the extended family members soon followed. Ann had an older brother named Jack and a younger brother named Tony, both of whom she loved dearly. Ann also grew up very close to her cousins: Irene (who she referred to as her big sister), Billy, Bill, and Nancy. She had a pretty rough childhood, but in spite of the difficulties, she stated she always knew she was loved and had a great appreciation for the many family members and friends who took her in and/or helped them out. Ann's teenage years were spent in Kernville and Lindsay, California where she thrived and made many lifelong friends. She graduated from Lindsay High School in 1955. Ann married Arnold Crawford at the age of 19, and together they had four children: Julie, Russell, Karen and Elaine. All of her children had exceptional relationships with her and brought her love, joy and laughter throughout her life. She was a member of the Pentecostal Lighthouse Church in Visalia and had a deep faith in Jesus. She was very active in the church and made wonderful friends there over the years. There were many memorable trips to church conventions with dear friends, including: Toronto, Virginia, Utah and Arizona. She worked as an estimator for approximately 20 years with The Glass Shop and Kawneer in Visalia. She was known at both places for her excellent customer service. People who loved Ann describe her as feisty, witty, faithful, generous, sometimes opinionated, patriotic and helpful to a fault. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great sense of compassion for all people. She was grateful for her apartment and the community of friends she had nearby. They looked after one another and became especially close during the pandemic. She was sometimes referred to as "the queen of the neighborhood" because she was loved by all. Ann had a severe progressive lung disease for the last 14 years. She never complained about her illness and in fact, always expressed her gratitude that she was "not a sick person". When her children reminded her that she did have a serious illness and that she needed to take care of herself, she would always reply that she was not in pain and that so many people were worse off than her. She prayed that God would allow her to live as long as her own mother did and God granted her that wish. She often expressed that she was so grateful to have the opportunity to live 84 years. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Earl Wanamaker and her brothers, Jack and Tony Wanamaker. Ann is survived by her children, Julie Slaughter and her husband Lennie; Russell Crawford and his wife Doreen; Karen Wright and her husband Mike; and Elaine Sewell and her husband Doyle; her grandchildren, Danielle, Kristin, Logan, Travis, Lyndsie, Annie, Allie, Ashley, Courtney and Casey and great-grandchildren, Keely, Braeden, Angelique, Arden, Jackson and Lance. She will be greatly missed. Ann wrote a memoir of her growing up years and we are thrilled that she was able to see it to its completion last month. The memoir is called "God Forsaken Places". The link to the memoir is tinyurl.com/annwanamaker for those who would like to read it. Graveside services will be held 9 AM Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 at Lindsay-Strathmore Cemetery, 639 S Foothill Ave, Lindsay. Celebration Of Life services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 at Pentecostal Lighthouse of Visalia, 1219 W. Noble Ave., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Ann Irene Wanamaker

October 28, 1937 - June 5, 2022