Annabelle G Deutscher

Annabelle Gloria ( Smith) Deutscher, aged 87, resident at The Fountains of Tucson, Arizona, died peacefully on Monday October 28, 2013 following several months of failing health. Her devoted and loving husband, Jerry Deutscher, was at her side as he has always been.

Annabelle, wife, mother, grandmother, poet, nurturer of creativity, beacon of patience, she who spoke with purpose and understanding; our gentle spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Known as " Belle" to those who knew and loved her, she was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 10, 1926. As a young girl she enjoyed riding her horse freely through grassy fields and the warm companionship of her only sister, of blessed memory, Patricia (Smith) Briggs. She attended Julia Richmond High School and East Rockaway High School on Long Island, New York, where she met her beloved Jerry at the age of 13. They were married at the Philadelphia Naval Yard in 1946 and spent a life of adventure together for 67 years. While they lived in many states along the way, most of their family life together was spent in Phoenixville, PA and Sanibel, FL.

Annabelle was a prolific poet and writer, an avid student of Native American Indian art and history, a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. Throughout her life she was an active church member, a Girl Scout Troop Leader, an antique dealer and a specialist in the sales of Native American Indian art. She enjoyed several meaningful poetry writing groups through which she created significant work. In Tucson she participated in The Dry River Poets writing group who recently published their first anthology of poems entitled Spilled.

Annabelle is survived by her husband Jerome S. Deutscher, her five children, Bruce Deutscher; Jerri Anne Rees (Morgan); Georgi Otis (David); Nancy Mellan (Stuart); and Leslie Tal (Rafi). She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service in celebration of her rich life is to be planned.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to University of Arizona Poetry Center. http://poetry.arizona.edu/get-involved/giving-poetry-center.