Obituary: Cheetham, Ann Marie (Sullivan)
Age 86
Ann was born March 20, 1928 in the beautiful wheat farming community of Rockford, Washington to John Daniel Sullivan and Clara Mabel Fonder and was fondly nicknamed “Tiny”.
Ann married Donald Eugene Cheetham in 1953 in Spokane, Washington.
They shared 54 years together and moved the family many times while in the Navy.
Their travels took them to the Naval Air Station in Los Alamitos, California, Sand Point, Seattle, and Whidbey Island, Washington, before settling in Houston while stationed at Ellington Air Force Base until Don retired in 1977.
She was an active member of Navy Wives Club of America for fifty-three years, attending National Conventions across the country.
A member of the Red Hat Society “Gad-Abouts” of Pasadena, Texas, she enjoyed dressing to the hilt in purple and red adorned with feathers, flowers and hats accompanied by a huge smile.
Ann will be remembered for her abundance of patience and her passion for life.
She loved working puzzles, watching “her” Astros and spent decades building an unrivaled collection of salt and pepper shakers.
She would always have a craft in progress ranging from her sock monkeys and baby dolls with four faces, to baking a cake for a grandchild’s birthday.
She was extremely thoughtful and giving.
She always had a way of creating a little gift bag when you visited.
Never one to be idle, Ann enjoyed her time at the Brookdale Community in Sugarland where she shared wonderful moments with many friends.
She was of a generation that never complained about anything and she remained steadfast in her appreciation of what she had.
Ann was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was admired and loved.
Ann is survived by her sister, Terry Swenson and husband Bob of Seattle, WA; her four children, Jack Cheetham and wife, Janet of Mercer Island, WA, Mark and wife Darlene Cheetham of Vidor, TX, Rick Cheetham and wife, Gina of Livingston, TX and Vicki Bernstein and husband, Buck of Sugarland, TX; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Shultz, Stephanie Forrest, Danny Cheetham, Brett Bernstein, Beau Bernstein, Matthew Cheetham, Cody Cheetham; four great-grandchildren, Kayleigh and Trennen Shultz, Maxx and Jaxxon Cheetham.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Cheetham, and brother, Danny Sullivan.
Every coin we ever see on the ground and saved napkin in a drawer is an instant reminder that Mom is around and nothing is too small to ignore.
Thank you god for giving her to us for 86 years and showing us each day that life is not to be wasted.
Ann will be buried in her beloved Rockford Cemetery in Washington this summer at a family gathering to be held outside of Spokane.
The family will be receiving friends at Brookdale Community, 16900 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77479, Sunday, February 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a reception.
Be sure to wear a flower in your hair and a smile on your face.
Condolences may be offered at www.millerfuneral.com MILLER FUNERAL SERVICES, Houston, TX.