Ann passed away peacefully at the age of 98. She was surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born and raised in Portland, OR and Salem, OR; the daughter of Albert and Catherine Berni. She was the oldest of three. Her summers were spent at her grandmother’s vacation home in Cannon Beach, OR. She loved walking along the beach and searching for glass balls that had escaped the fisherman’s nets. She attended Lincoln High School in Portland and graduated from Salem High School. She attended the University of Oregon, pledging the Alpha Phi sorority. Her true love was art and drawing. She was able to persuade her parents to allow her to attend the Art Institute of Los Angeles.
It was in L.A. that she met the love of her life, Kenneth Oliver. On September 28, 1940 they married in Portland, OR. They moved to Seattle in 1945. In 1949 they purchased a home in the Mt. Baker district, where they raised their 3 children. In 1969, they moved to Magnolia Bluff, where they lived for 37 years. Their later years were spent living in Edmonds and Shoreline. They spent 72 years together doing the things they loved; golfing, tennis, boating and swimming. After Ken’s retirement, they traveled in their motorhome, went boating through Canada, enjoyed many cruises, traveling through Europe and spending two months a year in Hawaii.
Ann, for many years was an active member on the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Guild (Seattle Children’s Hospital), P.E.O., Milk Fund and March of Dimes. She was an amazing knitter and seamstress. She made many sweaters for her family and church bazaars. She loved to learn and attended many classes at the University of Washington. She once said “the best part was they were free and she didn’t have to take a test.”
She is preceded in death by her husband Ken, daughter-in-law Janet Oliver, brother Al Berni and her sister-in-law Rosie Berni. She is survived by her brother Mike Berni and her sister-in-law Jane Berni, her children, Jim Oliver, Christine Oliver and Laurie Burningham (Lloyd), her grandchildren Suzie Green (Kevin), Mark Oliver (Lori), Katie Manning (Chris), Jacob Burningham (Anna), Stacy Hargrave (Brad), her 10 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and several cousins.
Ann was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, cousin, friend and a child of God. Our hearts will carry memories of her love, kindness, thoughtfulness and her wonderful sense of humor. She had the ability to laugh at herself, speak her mind and knew that things would always work out for the best. We will miss her, but rejoice the she is with her beloved Ken, and her Heavenly Father. Family and friends will be joining together on September 30, 2018 to celebrate her life.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.
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