Ann Santee McAfee

June 5, 1942 – January 8, 2024

How does one communicate the attributes of a person who is the sun you orbit? How does one share countless memories of a woman’s limitless love for her children encompassing her life’s labor? How do her most cherished daughters and sons begin to express their depth of sadness in losing the most significant person in their lives?

Ann, our beloved mother, was a person of boundless wit, wisdom, patience, loyalty, selflessness, and steadfastness. She had the effortless ability to beguile those around her with a wry smile and perfectly timed, comedic commentary. An unassuming classic beauty, Ann was neither flashy nor pretentious, but timeless and elegant.

Motherhood for Ann was perfectly orchestrated chaos. Carpools, tennis lessons, Friday night football, little league, ballet classes, Halloween costumes, hand-painted Easter baskets, hand-sewn Christmas stockings and her epic sour cream coffee cake.

Born June 5th, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ann was raised in Skiatook, Oklahoma. She was a Skiatook High School Bulldog where she played basketball, was a cheerleader, sat as first chair clarinet, was crowned Band Queen, and tied for Miss Skiatook, but lost it in a coin toss – a tale Ann would regale with sardonic humor.

She went on to attend the University of Oklahoma (O.U.) and pledged the Beta Theta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma (Kappa) sorority. As a Kappa Alumni, Ann was given the distinction as the only out-of-state Rush Advisor at O.U. She proudly served the role for 13 years. Ann’s leadership and mentorship influenced the many young ladies of Kappa. She became an emblematic role model for these women and would hold a special place in their hearts for years to come.

During her college years, she would make the fateful choice of taking a summer job in Estes Park, Colorado. In the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains and the infamous Stanley Hotel, she met Mike, the yin to her yang. Mike knew instantly that Ann was the one, but he knew she was not going to fall for what he always considered his strengths, an audacious personality and irreverent sense of humor. Ann was not amused. In a bold stroke, Mike decided they should play a joke on their friends by having her accept his Phi Gamma Delta fraternity pin – in those days, it was the step before a marriage proposal – she was adamant they would never buy it. The joke bowled everyone over. As the party broke up, Ann began to give Mike back his pin, his response, ‘why don’t you keep it.’ That was the seed planted beginning a 61-year love affair.

Ann married Mike in 1962 and a few years later they moved to Wichita Falls, Texas, where they raised their four children, made lifelong friends, and became an irreplaceable presence in the community. Ann’s sphere of positive influence went beyond her role as mother. Her community and civic sense of duty spanned the years in Wichita Falls.

Ann held leadership roles with Kappa Kappa Gamma as the President of the Wichita Falls Alumni Association and as a National Delegate. Ann was a member of the Women’s Forum and the Sponsor of the Junior Forum, an organization for high school girls to develop a sense of community culminating in the Debutante Ball their senior year. Ann co-founded the Duck Inn at the annual Spring Fling fundraiser for the Wichita Falls Museum of Fine Arts. A member of the Wichita Falls Junior League, Ann contributed to the Tennis Smash, the annual Halloween Haunted House, Falls Fest, and her claim to fame was being a member of the GoodTime Singers, she would argue the last accomplishment was debatable.

After spending 23 years in Wichita Falls, Ann and Mike made the move to Houston, Texas. A big change for the family, Ann again, made it their home as she continued her civic involvement as a member of the American Cancer Society organization Victory! and its flagship fundraiser The Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Ann and Mike continued their life’s journey to Galveston, Texas where they lived for 22 years. Ann’s passions thrived in the island community.

They lived in the East End Historic District in the 1907 Adolph Dolson house designated as a historical home by the Texas Historical Commission. Built in 1907 by Robert Palliser, whose work included The Grand 1894 Opera House, Ann’s many passions included maintaining the integrity of the Victorian era historic home, her distinctive mix of English & Continental interior design, hosting family and friends with her world-famous chili during Mardi Gras, and always with her English Springer Spaniels in tow.

Ann was also an avid green thumb who preferred to live her life outside puttering around her gardening shed and coaxing the most onery plant to thrive and bloom. Ann’s incredible garden, often winning Yard of the Month in the East End, reflected her personality – lovely, vibrant, and inspiring.

She continued her community volunteerism through her involvement with the Galveston Historical Foundation’s Homes Tours Committee and as President of the American Cancer Society where she co-founded Walk for Life.

If one were to ask Ann what her greatest achievement was, she wouldn’t hesitate in answering: her four children. Jodie, Carrie, Josh, and Erin were the center of her universe and everything she held dear to her heart. Motherhood for Ann was not simply being called mom. They were her pride and joy, and her true calling. From bumps, bruises, and disappointments, to accolades and milestones, Ann was the ever-present anchor to their lives. She was never more than a phone call away when one of them needed her guidance, support, or simply a shoulder to cry on when life seemed too hard to handle. We are exceptionally blessed to call you, our mom. We love and miss you, always.

Ann is survived by her husband Mike McAfee, her four children, Jodie McAfee, Carrie Bishop, Josh McAfee, and Erin Edgington, and her four grandchildren Michael Bishop, Maggie Bishop, Boyd McAfee, and Knox McAfee.

Charities to memorialize Ann:

The American Cancer Society: Donate Today | The American Cancer Society

The North Texas Rehabilitation Center: Online Giving - North Texas Rehab (ntrehab.org)

English Springer Rescue America, Inc. (ESRA): Support ESRA – English Springer Rescue America