Ann was born on September 7, 1946 to the late Buzz and Janie Finch in Chattanooga, TN. She was the oldest of three siblings. She was preceded in death by her beloved younger sister, Ruth May Finch (Keith).
Ann’s family was deeply important to her. Her two children and her husband were her world. Ann was an active volunteer in her children’s classrooms, and gladly drove them all over town to sports practices, scout meetings, piano, gymnastics and horseback riding lessons, and more. She also indulged all of their many requests for pets, which included at various times a stray cat, a rabbit, an iguana, and several snakes (the largest of which was 14 feet long!). All of this was out of her deep love for her children.
Ann made and decorated elaborate cakes for her children’s birthdays, and made candies and other sweets for every occasion. Christmas was her favorite, though. She would start her Christmas crafting, decorating, and shopping well before the season. She always made sure to choose gifts and unique ornaments that would make each family member feel the most special and loved. Many times, her gifts were made by her own talented hands. She was the magic in their Christmas.
Ann’s interest in family history led her to a passion for genealogy. Her genealogy work connected her to distant relatives around the country, many of whom she became as close to as if they had grown up together. She was able to trace several branches of the family back as far as the 1600s.
Once Ann became a grandmother, she developed a talent for scrapbooking. She spent countless hours making sure special memories were recorded for each grandchild in dozens of scrapbooks. These cherished books will help to keep her memory alive for each of her beloved grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Ann held an unwavering faith in God and greatly enjoyed being part of her church community. Ann grew up as an active member of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, attending from the time she was born until her own children were nearly grown. After the closing of that church, the family attended Brainerd Methodist Church, where she and Tom especially loved the weekly gospel bluegrass sessions. Later, she and Tom followed their longtime friend and pastor Bill Owens to Ridgedale Baptist and then to GraceWorks Church.
Ann is survived by her brother Art Finch (Beverly), brother-in-law Keith Coe (Margy), her daughter Margaret Ann Minihan (Brendan), her son John Taylor, nieces Laurie Ruth Collier (Aaron), Kelsey Finch Antoskow (Brandon), nephews Bryan Coe (Lisa), Wesley Finch (Lane), Kevin Finch (Christy), Barrett Finch (Amy), and Dylan Finch (Mamie), and her beloved grandchildren Aidan Minihan, Ewan Minihan, and Clare Minihan.
A memorial service will be held for Ann at the Chattanooga Funeral Home’s East Brainerd Chapel on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband at Lakewood Memory Gardens East.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.
