Anne was born on August 4,1931 to Patrick and Mary Pollard in Detroit, Michigan. After high school, she took holy orders with the Xavier Mission Sisters. In her years with the Sisters, she focused much of her energy on teaching, becoming a life-long educator. Anne travelled the world in service of her faith, spending many inspirational years teaching in Japan.
After her order dissolved, Anne decided to live a secular life, but faith and service always remained her essential guiding principles. In her secular life, she was able to enjoy more time with family, accompanying her parents on world travels to India, Nepal, and England. She also continued her work as a student and teacher, focusing on Special Education. She spent many years teaching in the Romeo Public Schools. Her commitment to those with special needs and their families led her to create a program both in Fraser and Detroit called the Drop-in Club, a weekly program that offered an evening out for parents and caretakers of adults with special needs.
Anne later met and married the love of her life, Donald (Don) Peters. They shared a wonderful life with many hours spent together golfing, gardening, enjoying family, and spoiling their cats. Don shared Anne’s wanderlust and the two visited places around the world, even living for a number of years in South Carolina before returning to Michigan. Anne loved Don with a fierce loyalty and greatly mourned his passing in 2008.
Anne was a gifted artist, like many in the Pollard family. Pretty much any craft she turned her hands to resulted in a work of art. She was accomplished at basket weaving, quilting, water color, and needlepoint. Her works grace the homes of many family and friends; her quilts, paintings, and exquisite custom Christmas stockings are cherished family heirlooms.
In her later years, one of Anne’s most treasured spaces was her garden at the American House. Her green thumb allowed flowers to bloom brightly. Each year she took on more and more gardening space because it brought her and the other American House residents so much joy. Her proudest garden achievements were the sky-high sunflowers that towered over her.
Throughout her life, Anne served as a constant exemplar of faith, love, and commitment. She continued her spiritual connection through regular volunteer work in the church, most recently at her parish church, St. Ronald’s. There she also celebrated fellowship with the Women’s Group Sodality. She stood witness for countless family baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals, always with her constant and ever-present faith front and center.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Don, her four brothers, Patrick, John, Don (Joy), and Nick (Pauline), and her nephew Dan (Linda). She leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews - Michael (Judy), Tom (Cheryl), Bob, Nancy, Peggy (Mark), Chris (Tom), Jane (Rick), Phil (Gail), Brendan (Barbara), Kirsten, Nick (Shula), Chris (Doya), and Amy. Also mourning her loss are a host of family and friends including great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and more, all who celebrate her life and will treasure her memory.
Instate will be held on June 4, 2026, from 10:00 am until a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Ronald Catholic Church, 17701 15 Mile Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48035. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Anne’s name to the charity of your choice.
