She was born Anne Elizabeth Marlow in Smithfield, North Carolina. She moved to Newport News, Virginia, as a young child. She graduated from Newport News High School, and attended college at Eastern Tennessee University.

After school, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she raised a family during the day, and worked part-time in the evenings. She was active in several clubs and organizations, enjoyed tennis, and was an avid bridge player.

She was an active member of Skyline Christian Church. She moved to Oceanside, CA, in 2002, and found her place in the sun and her forever home. Here she became a longtime, active member of the Oceanside Newcomers & Friends. She was an active member of Twin Cities Christian Church which became Lighthouse Christian Church. At Lighthouse, she was active in several different ministries in the church.

She enjoyed playing cards with various groups and liked Bingo with her friends. Her work was as an administrative assistant to executives of several defense companies, an investment firm, the America's Cup and others. After she retired, her hobbies were sweeping (entering sweepstakes) and traveling. She was both serious and successful about sweeping. She won a car, large cash prizes and several trips, both domestic and international, which dovetailed with her enjoyment of travel.

She was a devoted Mom, loving wife, sister and daughter. Her family was her core, and meant everything to her. She was immensely proud of her children's strong character and achievements. She was also a loyal and loving friend to so many that loved her in return. Anne was admired for her courage and grace which covered all who knew her. She was a strong woman who faced her cancer with strength and determination. In sickness and in health, she found beauty and joy in life and adventure in each day. She was always Miss Anne to us. She was and will continue to be beautiful, warm and interesting with an allure of elegance and Southern charm.

Anne is survived by her devoted husband Steve and their three boys: Sean Fitzgerald, Clay Smith, and Austin Lee Smith. She leaves four grandchildren: Sean, Katia, Andrew and Tyler. She leaves her brother David Marlow, her niece Megan, and daughters-in-law Casey Smith, Adrienne Bertonneau and Niki Fitzgerald.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on April 8th, at noon at Lighthouse Christian Church, Oceanside, CA. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Lighthouse Christian Church, 4700 Mesa Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057.

Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on April 1, 2017.
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