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Memorial Keepers (1)
Advent Funeral & Cremation Services - Falls Church
Ann Willson
May 10th, 2015
On Sunday May 10, 2015, Ann Willson, of Arlington, Virginia passed away peacefully at Capital Caring Hospice. Ann was born May 23, 1922 in Ligonier, PA where she grew-up on the family farm. She was the third of the four children of Philip and Sophia (Polly) Weaver. After graduating from high school, she attended Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, PA where she majored in business. During WWII she left college to work in retail. In 1947 Ann married R. Thomas Willson and they had two daughters, Sidney and Stephanie. In 1955 Ann and her two daughters returned to Pittsburgh. From 1955 to 1975 Ann worked part time in retail, but her real talent was all aspects of homemaking. She was an amazing cook, interior decorator, gardener, seamstress, and a wonderful mother. She made drapes and wedding dresses, grew vegetables and built stone patios. She made dozens of Christmas cookies and candies for the family. Later on she would use her cooking skills to make cookies for our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. The birth of her first grandchild Amy, in Wiesbaden, Germany began an extensive traveling history, and a commitment to be there to help Sidney and Stephanie when they brought their new babies home. In the late 70’s Ann opened a bridal salon in Hagerstown, MD and worked there until 1984, when she decided to live with daughter Stephanie, an attorney in the United States Army and her grandson John. Ann traveled with Stephanie and grandson John while they lived in Germany, Colorado, Georgia, and Virginia. Ann traveled widely the family never tired of her often-humorous travel tales. While living in Germany Ann volunteered for the Red Cross in between her travels and her myriad contributions to the military community. One of her neighbors and friends referred to her as the neighborhood Mom. In 2005 Stephanie retired from the Army and settled in Arlington. After many years Ann’s rheumatoid arthritis prevented her from enjoying some of her favorite activities, but she was usually eager to go shopping (in a wheel chair) and was always enjoyed having her nails done. She loved her cats and spoiling Sidney’s dog. She enjoyed the Arlington neighborhood and considered herself blessed to have wonderful neighbors. Ann’s greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Amy Dillon, husband Shawn Carter, and sons Falconer and Spencer of Oak Hill, VA; Caroline Dillon and son Griffon of Oakton, VA; Blythe Dillon, her husband Tim Fariss, and daughters Isolde and Astrid of Charlotte, NC; John Siemer and wife Michelle Scheer, and children Jack and Emmeline, of New York City, NY; and Andrew Dillon and wife Elizabeth Baum and daughters Olivia and Rose, of Berkeley, CA. Other than her grandchildren and great grandchildren Ann is survived by: Sidney Willson Dillon and husband Mark of Oakton, VA, and Stephanie Willson of Arlington VA, her sister Sally Powell of Charlotte, NC. Ann will be dearly missed for her warmth, love of family and friends, and wicked sense of humor. A celebration of Ann’s life is being planned. In lieu of flowers; the family requests that donations be made to the ASPCA in her name.
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We Entrusted Ann Willson's Care To
Advent Funeral & Cremation Services - Falls Church
After refining her innovative vision, our founder established Advent in 1995, aiming to revolutionize the funeral service industry by providing families with compassionate, responsive services. Her aspiration was to support the community with transparent advice and customizable options, allowing each family to honor their loved ones in ways that genuinely meet their needs. Decades later, our mission remains steadfast: to offer compassionate, professional, and truthful services to everyone who walks through our doors....
Learn more(703) 239-4943
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