Ann Tobin (DeSelms)

Ann Tobin, aka Ann DeSelms, was born in Phoenix Arizona at St. Joseph’s Hospital on July 8, 1961. A middle daughter of Gene and Gloria Wheeler, she grew up in a household with nine children. During high school and college Ann was active in band and swim team.

Ann was a woman of deep emotions. She had strong beliefs and would not hesitate to make them known. She was loud and brash but never cruel. Yes, she could be difficult, but you always knew where you stood with her. I appreciated that I never doubted that she loved me.

Ann had a passion for life. She told me when we became a couple that I would never be bored with her. She was right. Being part of a large family, dynamics for her were often complex. I took her to several Tobin family reunions starting in 2011. My extended family loved her and love Lucy.

Ann showed me the truth about the disabled community through Lucy. Quite the eye opener.

We had a beautiful life and beautiful dreams that were dashed by her diagnosis of having ovarian cancer on October 1st, 2015. Ann had the aggressive form. Most women are lucky to live two or three years after diagnosis. Stubborn as she was, she made it nearly nine years. I hated watching her waste away, it is a cruel disease.

I will miss her sarcastic wit and her insights. I will miss her calling me “Mister Man.” I will miss everything about her for the rest of my life.

Ann was preceded in death by her father, Gene Wheeler, and her sister, Rita. Ann is survived by her mother, Gloria, by her brothers Matt, Ray, Pat and Mike, by her sisters Kathy, Angela and Theresa, by her sons Danny, Dennis, Jason and Nicholas, by her daughter Lucy, by her grandchildren DJ, Ally, and Jason Jr, and her great grandchild Addie. And by her heartbroken husband Ron.

A funeral service for Ann will be held Friday, September 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, 8620 N 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service at 11:30 AM at Greenwood Memory Lawn, 719 N 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann's memory may be made to Special Olympics Arizona, in the name of Lucy DeSelms.

https://support.specialolympics.org/a/give-in-your-state?state=az&sourceid=1041146&ms=google-arizona&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_ZC2BhAQEiwAXSgClga5y6teGIn_RE-JhSvHz94VB3bIbCzG_URVuFY4SS2mhK2KBnIwoRoCpdIQAvD_BwE.