Anna Mae Jennings
March 30, 1933 - September 3, 2022
Obituary
Anna Mae (Morris) Jennings
March 30, 1933—September 3, 2022
Anna Mae was born on March 30, 1933, in Chewelah, Washington. Her parents were Georgia (Buck) Morris and Victor Lewis Morris and the family included six siblings: Art (Nancy), George (Connie), Hollis (Kara), Velma Churchill (Bill), Chuck (Jeri), and Rosa Nett (Jim). After graduating from Chewelah High School, Anna Mae graduated from the College of Puget Sound with a B.A. Degree in Education.
With the completion of college, Anna Mae married Jim Jennings. She started teaching third grade in Okanogan, WA while Jim served as Principal in Pateros and then Superintendent in Brewster. They were married 65 years. Four children were born, JoDeen Cushman (Glen), Jeremy (Jannine) Jennings, Jama Jennings, Janelle Jennings (Randy Van Matre). The family also includes five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Family gatherings were a big event in her family. It was important to Anna Mae to gather on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays and other major family events. As the children were growing up, going to Grandma Morris’ with Anna Mae’s siblings became a regular event for many years. Christmas was always held at home. The day started by emptying the stockings hung in the living room, eating breakfast, and then opening presents one at a time (to make the day last longer). Anna Mae made sure that a nap, playing games, and dinner were also part of the day. Easter included coloring real eggs and having an egg hunt. Anna Mae was always one of the hunters looking for the eggs—she didn’t want to miss that fun! Each birthday was also an opportunity to gather and celebrate. The birthday person chose the special meal for the day, and in later years, where to go out to eat. These traditions were especially enjoyed as grandchildren became part of the family gatherings. Additionally, Anna Mae never failed to call or write a letter to each of her siblings on their birthday.
Anna Mae loved family reunions, both with the Morris family and with Jim’s cousins, the Siderius family. She was an active planner and organizer for the annual sibling get togethers as well as for the Morris reunions. The Morris family held 13 reunions, held 3 to 4 years apart, some of which were attended by over 100 people. Anna Mae made it a point to have an individual visit with each person. For 25 consecutive years the Morris siblings met as a group somewhere. This usually involved a 3-day event, the last occurring in 2019. In addition, she enjoyed the trips to Montana to attend the Siderius reunions and to visit with those relatives.
While the children were growing up, Anna Mae was actively involved in their school, church and Camp Fire activities. Where there was a need, she was there. Known as the lemon meringue pie lady, she made 10-12 lemon meringue pies for each church bake sale to benefit the handbell choir.
Camp Fire became her passion in which she led groups and undertook many leadership roles. Everyone in the family was a member of Camp Fire, ultimately combining for a total of over 100 years of membership. She was a leader for 2 groups and assisted in the other 2 groups. The entire family spent countless hours selling Camp Fire candy and participating in Camp Sealth work parties. Anna Mae and Jim were very proud that each of their children earned the Wohelo Medallion, the highest award in Camp Fire. Anna Mae’s role became one of offering support to and training other leaders. For several years, she was site director of Camp Schoenwald’s day camp program which provided camping opportunities for children and youth. In the 30+ years of Camp Fire involvement, both Anna Mae and Jim received numerous adult awards.
Family camping was a favorite past time with the family. A crew cab pickup and an Apache tent trailer were used until the kids got through high school. Before heading out on their 3–4-week summer camping adventure, Anna Mae would prepare the itinerary and specify the times for activities (including showers, laundry and buying the groceries). She created a menu for every meal, including many outdoor cooking ideas from Camp Fire. During the trips, they visited many nice camping and hiking areas, national parks, relatives, as well as major attractions such as Disneyland.
After Jim’s retirement, an RV was used for camping and traveling to new areas. Jim and Anna Mae spent 25 years exploring the entire U.S. and most of Canada, for a total of about 200,000 miles. For 15 years their fall trips were centered on an early October conference held somewhere in the US or Canada which became the travel destination during September and October. Anna Mae would get out the latest guidance document, called MAPS, to eagerly plan their route of travel. They often traveled in a theme mode such as following: the Oregon Trail, the Lewis and Clark trail, Presidential Libraries, National Parks or other specific points of interest. This let them explore the natural beauty and exciting highlights in every state in the continental US and most Canadian Provinces. Three tours of Alaska and the Yukon were included in these adventures. One of Anna Mae’s siblings and their spouse would often travel with them on a portion of a trip. On their final trip, they spent a month on the coast of Washington and Oregon. After experiencing many of the wonders and beauty of this great country they concluded their RV travels in their favorite area of all, the Pacific Northwest.
Many happy times were spent at the cabin at High Valley and Anna Mae loved to be at the cabin. She enjoyed cooking over the fire pit, playing cards, exploring the area, and relaxing with a book in the peacefulness of the back yard. The elk in the area were always a highlight to see as they wandered around the cabin and in Packwood, and she enjoyed counting how many elk there were each time. She liked spending time at the cabin with her children as they were growing up, with grandchildren and alone with Jim. Many gatherings were hosted for church groups, family reunions, and friends. She was adamant that all work projects needed to be completed by July 4th so the rest of the summer could be relaxing. Her favorite times were with her grandchildren, sharing her love of the cabin with them. Anna Mae had the kids and grandkids playing card games as soon as they could sit at the table and this became a daily activity at the cabin. Her children and grandchildren could play rummy and hand and foot while others their age were still playing go fish.
Part of retirement is settling down. After Jim and Anna Mae lived in their home in Burien for 43 years, they wanted to move to an adult living community. They found that Wesley Terrace was the ideal spot to live for the rest of their lives. They became actively involved in the activities and opportunities offered at the Terrace, helping to make it a great community. She volunteered to maintain the Resident Photo Album, became a member of the food committee, loved to play volleyball, Wii Bowling, Rummikub and Pinochle. Jim and Anna Mae attended several 10-week sessions of Brain Fit classes where her assistance for help was regularly sought by other residents when completing their assignments. Her most enjoyable activity was serving as floor hostess helping new residents become acquainted with their new home. Anna Mae lived the last 2 years in Wesley’s Memory Care Center where she was cared for by kind and caring staff and was visited regularly by Jim and her children.
Donations in memory of Anna Mae can be made to the Wesley Community Foundation for the pedestrian overpass being built to connect Wesley Terrace and Wesley Gardens (Wesley Community Foundation, 816 S. 216th Street; Des Moines, WA 98198) or the Alzheimer’s Association (19031 33rd Ave W, Suite 301; Lynnwood, WA 98036).
