All my life I have been surrounded by wonderful people. I would like you to know how much I've enjoyed you and how grateful I am to have had you in my life.
I so enjoyed my childhood with my parents Aurlene and Fred Kelsey and my two wonderful siblings Fred (Robin) and Margaret (Bill). We had such good times playing horses, riding bikes, eating good food, going hiking in the Wasatch and exploring the deserts of Utah.
I married the best spouse I could have ever asked for, Lester Aoki in 1980 in Salt Lake City. Life with him and our two children Will and Miyo has given me the greatest joy possible.
I have met such remarkable people through my work—first at the Marriott Library—but my greatest joy was working for 23 years as the botany collections manager for the Garrett Herbarium at the Natural History Museum of Utah. It has been a great honor and privilege to work with this dedicated band of people and be part of the work that they do. Thanks, you guys, you're very dear to me. Through the herbarium work I have been associated with the botany community in Utah and I have greatly enjoyed my association with all of you. You've meant a lot to me.
About twenty years ago I discovered contra dancing and am very grateful for the contra dance community here in northern Utah. Thanks, everyone, for the swings, the twirls, the contra corners, the lovely left hand stars, the smiles, and most of all your friendship.
Towards the end of my life I became a member of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital family. Thank you, Dr. Glenn, Debbi Green, Jill Gahlsdorf, and Aryn Nelson and everyone else in the lab, the fourth floor hospital crew, and in the infusion room. You are deep in my heart.
Thanks also to the wonderful Adagio Hospice team, Heather Moon and Rosemary Wall, and many thanks to my friends and neighbors in the neighborhood.
Well, that's about it. I've loved my life and I thank you all for the parts that you've played in it.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann's name to Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, SLC UT 84108 or Huntsman Cancer Hospital, 1950 Circle of Hope Dr., SLC UT 84112. Condolences are welcome at www.larkincares.com
