Ann Veronica Durando-Smith

Born as Ann Veronica Whalen in Fresno, California on August 24, 1950, she was the daughter of William James and Mary Margaret Whalen. Ann spent her youth in Fresno, attending St. Johns Elementary School and San Joaquin Memorial High School. Following the passing of her father in 1956, Ann was raised by her single mother until her mother’s remarriage in 1966 to Virgil Durando, a farmer in Friant, California. At that time, Ann was adopted and assumed the Durando name, and spent the last two years of high school at Sierra Joint Union High School, graduating from there in 1968.

Ann attended California State University at San Jose for a short time, and ultimately relocated to Portland, Oregon. In 1987, she married Leonard Smith of Portland, and became stepmother to his young son Kurtis. She promptly assumed the role of President and Chief Operating Officer for West Coast Antiques and American Estates and Antiques.

Ann is recognized by many industry experts as being responsible for taking what had been a struggling business since 1972 and transforming it into a nationally recognized estate procurement and antique marketing organization. She pivoted the company from a word-of-mouth business to an online and retail storefront operation well known for high value music boxes, china, dolls, and high-end antique estate jewelry. Ann was a regular at local and regional trade shows and will be missed by many in the industry.

Ann was cherished by many for her kind and loving nature, wonderful sense of humor, and her loyal devotion to friends and family. She was known for always having a smile on her face that could light up the darkest day, an abundant supply of enjoyable stories to tell, and a positive presence that would fill a room.

She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by her two siblings who survive her: a sister Melissa Hardesty (Edward) of Chico, California; and a brother, Michael Durando (Kimberly) of Potomac Falls, Virginia. Friends and family will be notified of a virtual memorial service to be scheduled soon.