Anna Marie (Batanian) Wirick, 81, of San Tan Valley, AZ, died on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Marie Natalie (Robin McCormick); grandchildren, Sarah Marie Natalie (Dani Spanjer) and Russ Eugene Natalie, Jr.; siblings, Jean Alward, Kitty Burns, Patricia Potts and Floyd Batanian (Mary Lou) . She is remembered, in love, by her friends (and adopted family), Thomas and Paula Groen, their children and grandchildren and also by Russ E. Natalie, Sr. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Russell I. Valentine and her husband, Joy L. Wirick.
She was born in Byesville, Ohio, on March 26, 1939. Anna was a long-time resident of Griffith, Indiana, prior to her move to Arizona in 2019 to live with her daughter. Known by many names; Annie, Mom, Grandma Ann, Pete or Gigi, she happily answered to them all. She loved to travel and did so extensively on her annual trips with her sisters to Florida and elsewhere. She also crisscrossed the country on many trips sponsored through the local park district with her life-long friend, Carol Morrison. She was an Arizona “snowbird” for several years prior to her permanent move there.
Anna loved to play bingo and slots at the casinos, and was luckier than most. After retirement from Waste Management, she volunteered her time and life skills at the Munster (IN) Community Medical Center for over 18 years. She was ever-present in the lives of her family and friends. She was an independent spirit who could be described with just two words, limitless generosity.
She continued to give after her passing through the Donor Network of Arizona. No Funeral arrangements or memorials are scheduled at this time. Interment and celebration of life will take place at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens (Schererville, IN) at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations can be made in her name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
“Death Leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” Irish proverb.