Ann Elizabeth Kline

On 28 September 2015 Ann Elizabeth Kline passed away after an extended illness. At the time of her passing she was a resident of the Sunrise Residential facility in Sterling, VA. Ann Kline was born Ann E. Mears, in the year 1925, in Philadelphia, PA, to Atherton Hagy Mears and Ingeborg Anna Mathilda Toll. From there she moved several times, including to California, until they ended up in Falls Church, Virginia back in the 1930s. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University, and spent her life pursuing her beloved studies in Art and Botany. It was her expertise in cartography that got her a job with the Pentagon following WWII, where she met her future husband, Col.Thomas C. Kline. After they were married they headed off to Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first of many overseas tours of duty. Upon their return to Virginia, they purchased what was to be the family home in Falls Church, which they owned for over 50 years, raising their four children there when they were not stationed overseas at posts in Germany and Japan. As former employees of the CIA, she and Tom experienced the Cold War up close and personal, and enjoyed an exciting and stimulating life, balancing critical work and a family of four children. After retirement she focused on her award winning garden, growing unusual species of plants, and a variety of art forms, including painting, drawing and jewelry making. And always, always learning – with a focus on Archeology, Anthropology, History and Psychology. As a result she was always an accomplished hostess, great friend, and wonderful conversationalist. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, and one of her daughters, Erika T. Castro. She is survived by her children: Thomas C. Kline, Jr. Ph.D., Diana Signe Kline (Tina E. Minkowitz), Annemarie E. Kline-Edens (David R. Edens), and four grandchildren: Sean A. Edens, Lucas G. Edens, Brenna N. Castro, and Ryan J. Castro. Ann will be laid to rest along with Tom in a joint interment on 18 December, 2015. Graveside service will be at 2pm at the National Memorial Cemetery, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.