Gathering for protection, for the common good, for support, for entertainment, for shared vision and goals, for comfort. Gathering becomes even more important at those moments in life when we stop to acknowledge a milestone. Birthdays, holidays, reunions, graduations. It is an innate drive to be with others. That the event is not properly recognized until the significant people in our experience share it with us.
This is especially true at the time of death. Our first inclination is to go, to commune, to hug, to share stories, to break bread, to remember. . .together.
During this unique and unsettled time in the history of the world, we are prevented from following our natural instincts. How can we honor a life and mourn a death without others surrounding us?
So, we are called upon to be together from afar. To trust the power and mystery of spirit that will join our hearts and minds together. To call upon the best feelings inside each of us to make an extra effort, to remember long after this day is gone. Because we can create community even when we are isolated.
You are invited to relax and reflect. To read the stories and add your own memories in your heart as you read the words. To send healing thoughts of solidarity, of shared grief, of promises of tomorrow. We ask that you pledge to walk alongside, even from a distance, after today. Your work has just begun.
You are asked to post your stories on the Baggerley Memory Page and to donate to the Edmond Senior Center in Ann’s name. You can take steps of healing and support for everyone in this family.
We honor her husband, Edward William Hone, Jr.; sons, Stefan and Evin (Mariah); siblings: Patsy Camp Gritz (Eldon), Bobby Camp, Jackie Camp Dye, and Randy Camp (Tina). They are just now trying to come to grips with the fact that this amazing woman is no longer a part of their lives, no longer spreading her unique form of sunshine and attitude.
The beauty of this particular time in our existence is the power of communication. Stay in touch with each other. Send an email, make a call, Facetime and laugh together, text a memory. Or, as we sink into the demands of a less complex and busy schedule for this moment in time, perhaps it’s an opportunity to revive the age-old practice of writing a letter, a card, a picture, a note. Your spirit flows through the act of writing and provides something concrete and visible that this family can hold in their hands. Something that will stay with them in the dark days of grief to come.
Ann Hone lived a life of intentionality, engagement and of determination. Whatever became part of her world, she was going to dive deep, to learn, to explore, to understand. She truly was a special seeker.
"FAMILIES ARE LIKE BRANCHES ON A TREE. WE GROW IN DIFFERENT DIRECTION YET OUR ROOTS REMAIN AS ONE"
Ann was born to her mother, Gladys, on March 28, 1943 and when her mother married Earl, the Camp family grew quickly to include Patsy, Bobby, Jackie and Randy. Ann was the oldest sister and did her best to be true to her calling to look out for all of her siblings.
Patsy remembers a sister who looked out for her but who also took her along on her adventures. For some reason Ann decided that they needed to run away from home, so off they went, Patsy trustingly following her big sister who knew everything. But, after a few minutes walking down that long country road, Ann thought better of her plan and they turned around and were probably home before anyone noticed they were gone.
A little later in their lives, when Patsy was in high school, she was elected Rodeo Queen. When asked about it, Patsy laughed. She said back in those days you didn’t have to have any particular rodeo skills, just be a young woman in Belton.
Ann knew that Patsy was expected to have a wardrobe for making appearances and she also knew that Patsy did not have the means at the time to buy any new clothes. Ann was working for the Chamber of Commerce at that time and was instrumental in scheduling the events and parades. So she very generously bought Patsy the clothes fit for a Rodeo Queen.
Throughout their lives, Ann remained close to her family. Patsy remembers trips that they took together, shopping at antique stores and thrift shops and just enjoying the bonds of being together.
The life of church was a vital part of the foundation of the Camp family. Ann loved church music, sang in the youth choir and enjoyed the times spent at the summer church encampments. The joys of growing up in a small town with a large extended family was that there were always cousins available to be their buddies and friends.
She was a true lover of nature and the outdoors and developed into quite an athlete in high school—volleyball was her best sport.
Ann’s dream was to become a physical education teacher. So off she headed to Mary Harden Baylor, determined to finish her education. Even at a very young age, she began her journey of seeking how to integrate her body and her spirit to seek her goals.
Unfortunately, she blew her knee out, so that first vision had to be altered. But Ann knew that life had so much to offer, so she just persevered. There were so many paths to seek.
"GIVING BIRTH AND BEING BORN BRINGS US INTO THE ESSENCE OF CREATION, WHERE THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS COURAGEOUS AND BOLD AND A BODY, A MIRACLE A WISDOM."
She moved to Houston and soon met and married James Slaughter. The overwhelming life-altering joy of her life was the birth of her first son, Stefan. This gave her a sharp focus, this little life who needed her best skills and her best wisdom.
And even though the marriage did not stand the test of time, Ann was determined that she would do everything in her power to protect her baby boy and give him his own path to follow. Stefan struggled with asthma and breathing issues, which spurred Ann’s first exploration into alternative medicines or homoeopathic methods to provide her boy some relief. This was the initial step on her life-long seeking for answers and options.
"LOVE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU GO OUT LOOK AND LOOK FOR. LOVE FIND YOU, AND WHEN IT DOES, READY OR NOT, IT'LL BE THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO YOU."
A young man named Edward Hone was in Houston following college, working in retail. He became active in a church and attended the singles group. There was an interesting woman there who seemed to try to be finding her other path. She was 13 years older than Ed. But that didn’t seem to matter.
When asked what first caught his eye, he remembered how focused she was on her son and his well-being, that she was someone grounded in the Christian faith, that she was calm and contained, that she was intensely curious and a seeker when it came to things that mattered to her.
The age difference just seemed to melt away and was replaced by mutual respect, affection and love. Ed loved Stefan and was happy to embrace him into his life as well. Ed’s sister, Muffin remembers that both of the families were thrilled that they had each found someone who made the other happy.
So, on October 30, 1982 they married and joined their journeys together. And their family was made complete on October 3rd, 1983 when Evin joined the circle.
Ed soon left retail sales and joined the oil and gas business. This meant that their home would change a few times over the years. Houston, Denver, Bartlesville, Guthrie, Oklahoma City. But no matter where they went, the most important thing was that they were together. Home was where the heart was. And that the Texas flag flew wherever they were. Poor Ed, this OU boy from Norman, dutifully planted his wife’s flag wherever they lived. As long as it was in the backyard.
The boys remember this strong, supportive, inquisitive woman with a gentle touch of sarcasm. One particular story that stuck with Stefan was when he developed a sty in his eye. Ann very calmly said, “I hope the doctor can help because I don’t think I can love you with one eye.”
Stefan also thought his mom was incredibly brave, even when she didn’t give herself credit for being so.
Ann hated the cold and hated the heat. Her nirvana was Mexico. She found great pleasure and peace sitting along the beach and soaking in the healing sun. She headed down to Ajijic on Lake Chapala, often by herself. She would find friends and create a community. Ed would come join her when he could, but she was content to bravely carve out a place for herself, even alone. For a time they even considered moving to Mexico, joining the expats who headed south. They even sold their home and their belongings, but, then, decided that such a move wasn’t in the cards for them. So, they rethought their plans and left Guthrie and moved to Edmond.
"THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO LIVE YOUR LIFE. ONE IS AS THOUGH NOTHING IS A MIRACLE. THE OTHER IS AS THOUGH EVERYTHING IS." - ALBERT EINSTEIN
Ann could be single minded when seeking a path. And everything could be a miracle.
After finding new answers for Stefan’s asthma, she discovered the whole world of holistic living. Essential oils, magnets, clean foods, homeopathic treatments, massage—whatever offered answers for improving mind, body and spirit.
Ann did not just follow the fads. She studied, researched, and dove deep into the practices and followed them faithfully.
Ed joined Ann in the study of natural horticulture, he focused his efforts on German holistic agriculture, learning about additives such as phosphorus, hummus, and all the gifts of the earth that resulted in amazing bounty of harvest. They grew corn, tomatoes, watermelon, peas, lettuce, squash. They could fill a Farmer’s Market all on their own.
Sister-in-law, Muffin, remembered a time when she was overcome with a bounty of plums from trees at their home. She called Ann and she gladly came over and they canned 10 grocery sacks of plums.
They had goats, so the boys could drink goat milk, chickens, bees. All in the interest of providing healthy options for her family. And giving the boys the responsibility of milking and caring for the goats for their spending money.
Home schooling was another passion for Ann. She began with Stefan and Evin followed until his high school years. Again, she studied and threw herself into all the aspects of providing a quality education for her boys. She became very connected with the home school community and devotedly prepared her sons for the big wide world.
She loved an eclectic range of music—Johnny Cash, Adele, Andre Bocelli, Patsy Cline, everything from folk music, to opera to show tunes. The music could speak to her soul and heal her spirit.
She loved to read but her reading habits were a little unorthodox, like most of her life. Having suffered for years with neck and shoulder pain and debilitating migraines, it was uncomfortable for her to actually hold a book. So, again to the thrift shops to buy paperbacks. She would tear off a section of twenty pages or so, read them, throw them in a paper sack next to her chair and pick up the next section of the book. So, sharing one of Ann’s books was not possible. Make sure you read it before she got ahold of it.
"THE BODY HEALS WITH PLAY, THE MID HEALS WITH LAUGHTER AND THE SPIRIT HEALS WITH JOY." - PROVERB
Ann also was a seeker of friends. She made wonderful friends that lasted through many seasons of her life.
Karen Dilly connected with Ann in the homeschool community and remained a dear friend long after the boys were finished with their schooling.
She met Trudie through a mutual passion for holistic practices. They met while Ann was at Fed Ex shipping some magnets. They clicked over their interests in herbs, essential oils, body work, the ancient practices of wise healers. Trudie was impressed with this woman who took this life very seriously, who was completely self-taught and extremely knowledgeable and always wanting to learn. If someone presented with a certain health issue, Ann would not rest until she could find a potential answer.
Ann found a wonderful place to relax and enjoy herself at the Edmond Senior Center. She met Betty Joyce as they visited while playing Mah Jong and bridge and she became another journeyer on Ann’s path.
Everyone who was lucky to be on Ann’s path as she sought out so many paths of joy, grace and answers felt her compassion, her care, her passions and her drive to live a true and authentic life. Even as she struggled with her own health challenges, she was focused on helping others to live their best lives.
"GRIEF NEVER ENDS...BUT IT CHANGES. IT'S A PASSAGE, NOT A PLACE TO STAY. GRIEF IS NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS, NOR A LACK OF FAITH...IT IS THE PRICE OF LOVE.
And so, the family is in disbelief and shock that this dynamic woman who had dedicated her whole life to living well in her world, to seek out the right answers, to love with all of her heart, is gone so suddenly. That big heart that had beat with passion, with intentionality and with grace for 76 years just couldn’t sustain another moment.
Left behind are her family who adored her, who appreciated her, who admired her tenacity and her seeking spirit. Ed could not believe that the love of his life for 37 years had gone so soon. He certainly thought they had many more days together to enjoy their life. Stefan and Evin have lost their strong and supportive mother. They will be listening for her wise words in their souls as they take their next steps in their lives. The family is trying to figure out how to take next steps without this one-of-a-kind woman in their world. They are grateful for all she gave and grateful that she is no longer in pain and suffering from those challenges that followed her for her entire life.
We ask blessings and grace for everyone who will be missing Ann in the days to come. We ask for vigilance and presence from others to be ears for their stories and understanding hearts for their sadness.
Thank you for taking the time to share in this celebration of her life.
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