Ann M. Freidell passed away peacefully on August 21, 2015 at the Valle Verde Health Center. She was a long time Santa Barbara resident, loving mother and devoted wife of 53 years to Dr. Hugh Vernon Freidell (deceased 2005).

Ann was born on May 3, 1930 in Climax, Iowa. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Earl Davis (Lena Marolf Davis). She was the youngest of eight children. Ann spent her first two years on a 200 acre farm. Life on the farm was not easy and during the depression Ann's family lost the large farm and moved to a 25 acre dairy farm in Glenwood. Ann and her siblings milked the cows, helped run the dairy and delivered milk door to door almost every morning, even in the snow.

Ann attended her early education in Glenwood, Iowa and then received her RN of Nursing at Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing, in Omaha, Nebraska. While working as a student nurse at University of Nebraska Medical Hospital, she met her beloved husband while he was in his 3rd year of residency.

Ann and Vernon were married on April 6, 1952, at the Methodist Church in Glenwood, Iowa. They moved to San Antonio, Texas, when Vernon, a Captain, was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base. After two years, they moved west to Santa Barbara where Vernon practiced medicine.

Ann loved her family and her community. She volunteered at the Visiting Nurses Association (President 1986-87), Junior League of Santa Barbara (President 1968-69), United Way, Santa Barbara Auxiliary, National Charity League, (President 1973-74) and many more organizations. Ann also served as Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church.

While water activities and flying small planes were not among her cherished activities, Ann was a good sport and joined Vernon in his boating and flying passions. Ann was often the best fisherman of the group, and even learned to land Vernon's Cessna, to be prepared if needed.

Surviving members of Ann's immediate family are, Edward Davis married to Dorothy, and children, Kathy A. Day married to Brad, Susan L. Mosby married to Mark, Sharon M. Paratte, Debra M. Babai married to Darush and John S. Mosby.

Ann's immediate and extended family went on to have twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren who live in California, New Mexico and Texas. The twelve grandchildren include Devon Day, Patrick Day, Kelly Gaide, Kristen Adams, Erika Gruendyke, Garrett Gruendyke, Ryan Paratte, Tyler Paratte and Ryder Mosby, Daniel Babai, Janette Kennedy and Jennifer Hidrobo. The twelve great-grandchildren include Ben Thomas, Paloma Day, Petra Day, Charlotte Gaide, Piper Gaide, Giulia Gruendyke, Vivien Gruendyke, Alexa Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy, Kieran Babai, Declan Babai and Carly Babai.

A celebration of Ann's life will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015 at 1:30pm on The Plaza at Valle Verde Retirement Community, 900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara, California, 93105.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, www.vnhcsb.org, 512 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, California, 93101: The First Presbyterian Church, 21 East Constance Avenue, Santa Barbara, California, 93105: and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation, www.cottagehealth.org/ donate/ make-a-financial-donation/ P.O. Box 689, Santa Barbara, California, 93102.

The family would like especially to thank the nursing staff and caregivers of the Valle Verde Health Care Unit and that of Visiting Nurses and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara.

Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press Online Edition from Aug. 26 to Aug. 30, 2015