Ann Shirley McGreevey

On July 18, 2011, Ann S. McGreevey a vital spirit to all who knew and loved her slipped the bounds of life here on earth and into the arms of her waiting angels. Her journey to the kingdom of eternal life will be swift, well deserved and rejoiceful. Those who met her liked her and those who came to know Ann, loved her. Her passion for life and her 'can-do' attitude was reflected in all she accomplished. Her love and devotion to her four children as a single parent, her rise to a successful career in a time where women were not let in the door, and her fierce commitment to animal rights made her a tour de force. She spoke up to injustice wherever she saw it. She would help a stranger in need with the same care she gave her family. She never accepted no for an answer and always believed there was a solution to every problem- if you just tried hard enough. Her beliefs fed her passion and kept that sparkle in her big blue eyes, quick smile and hearty laugh. Ann’s loving father Duncan was a bookkeeper for a large firm that invented the blood pressure machine. Early on she became fascinated at the way he worked with numbers and never considered his job well done unless he balanced to the penny. Ann fulfilled a lifetime dream when she became the first woman Comptroller for one of Florida’s largest and most successful resorts, the Marco Beach Hotel on Florida’s West Coast. In 1989 Ann moved to a wonderful 95 acre farm in her beloved Virginia the state where her family history goes back to 1750. She was then 66 years old and her retirement was well earned. Three months later she told her son John that a rocking chair could very well occupy one’s time but it would never get them anywhere. Ann believed that happiness walked on busy feet so she un-retired and worked at various fun jobs until, at the age of 80, she finally retired. Ann loved music, the Broadway Theaters, especial the shows her daughter Annie was in, poetry, sonnets and the writings of great men and women alike. Ann also loved to write and the beauty and soul with which she penned her words was remarkable. All the art of living is a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Ann Shirley McGreevey held on for 88 glorious years and now, with deep sadness we must give her up to her Heavenly Farther. We will miss her but carry her passion with us as an example to follow. Now she sleeps with the Angels. Ann is predeceased by her daughter Gael Ames and is survived by her sons John McGreevey and his wife Patricia of Hardy, Virginia, Robert McGreevey and his wife Karen of Bedford, Virginia, daughter Annie McGreevey of West New York, New Jersey. Grandchildren John McGreevey Jr. of Charlotte, NC, Jonathan Scott Ames of Ridgefield, CT., Olivia Ann Gunton of Brooklyn, NY, Kerri Lenihan of Hillsdale, NY, Michael Smith of Roanoke, VA, Allison Smith of Glenville, NY; as well as 8 great grandchildren Caitlin Ann Ames, Camryn Ames, Carlee Meier, Zoe Meier, Elijah Meier, Ian Lenihan, Allison Smith, and Joshua Smith. Funeral services will be conducted from Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta, Virginia 24121 on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 1 p.m. conducted by Deacon Chris Barrett. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery. Ann’s family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 12 noon. Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Route 220 at Wirtz Road, Rocky Mount…www.connerbowman.com…334-5151