Ann Etta Dodson DeFee

Feisty, witty, and always living life to its fullest: Ann was a force of nature and will be deeply missed. Known for her irreverent sayings and great creativity, Ann was the life of the party. Born in Fort Worth, Texas to Mattie Marie Darr and Bruce Allen Dodson, Ann grew up in Seguin, Texas with siblings Edie Dodson King and Bruce Dodson Jr. Ann was an accomplished musician, playing piano, organ, and French horn. She graduated from Seguin High School in 1963. Ann went on to attend Texas State University, where she attained a BA in History in 1967 and later an MA in Political Science in 1975. Ann was an Alpha Delta Pi and remembered her sorority time fondly. Most notably while a student at TSU, Ann met Robert (Bob) Alonzo DeFee III, whom she married in 1966; Ann and Bob went on to enjoy 55 years together. As the wife of an Air Force officer and fighter pilot, Ann traveled the world, happily making a home in each new place. She worked as a teacher in various schools throughout this time. In 1969, Ann became mother to Dustin Brooks DeFee and in 1971 to Natalie Aleice DeFee Mendik. Ann enjoyed being ‘Nini’ to Scott and Emily DeFee; ‘Grammily’ to Caitlyn and Juliet Mendik; and mother-in-law to Sophie DeFee and Michael Mendik. Later in life Ann went back to study, attaining a MA in Urban Planning from Eastern Washington University in 1991. With an American Institute of Certified Planners accreditation, Ann worked for the town of Issaquah, Washington, before going on to pursue her long-held desire to write. Ann was a prolific writer of feel-good romance, publishing 14 novels, first with Harlequin, and later under the independent publishing house she co-founded and co-owned, Bellastoria Press. Her works garnered numerous awards over the years. After a long and brave battle with cancer, Ann passed at her home in Williamsburg, Virginia surrounded by family. Ann is survived by her husband, children and their spouses, grandchildren, siblings, and Lucy the cat. While plans for a memorial service have not yet been made, we celebrate in our hearts a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, as a life-long animal lover, donations can be made in Ann’s name to Heritage Humane Society.