Anna Marie Matthias, 85, of Sebastian, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2016, at Sebastian River Medical Center.
She is survived by a few of her loyal, thoughtful, caring friends, including Sandy Wolfe, Ralph and Lynn Ridolfino, Alice Cunningham, Rhoda Todd, Lisa Ruzicka, Gary and Michele Lubaczewski, Dolly and Danny Pierrie and June Taylor. She will be greatly missed, and always loved, by her little dogs, Maggie and Snoppy, her cat, Beauty, and her friend, Patti Keane, who resided with her.
Matthias was born in Balitmore, Md., on Sept. 28, 1930 to Mary Margaret and Charles Matthias. She was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. Later, she fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.
She retired in 1986 from the Pemberton, N.J., school district after 25 years of service. In 1969, she moved to Lower Bank, N.J., overlooking the beautiful Mullica River.
Matthias was a volunteer with the local Ambulance Squad. She was an avid golfer and a boater for more than 50 years. She was known to all in her boating community as “Captain Annie.” She charted and navigated numerous trips from New Jersey, including those to Lake Champlain and Chesapeake Bay.
She became a resident of Sebastian in 2010. She was blessed with a delightful free spirit and unusually high integrity. And her friends were blessed with Annie! Her kind and loving heart brought great warmth and enriched the lives of those she held dear.
Donations may be made in Annie’s memory to Humane Society of Ocean City, 1 Shelter Rd, Ocean City, NJ 08226, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741, or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
According to Annie’s wishes, her arrangements will be private. A very special “THANK YOU” to Annie’s outstanding and dedicated primary doctor, Dr. M. Nasir Rizwi, and all the Nurses and CNA’s (on 2 West and ICU) at Sebastian River Medical Center, Sebastian.
Without exception, Annie received the finest care and attention from all of these kind, caring and highly efficient professionals. Many blessings to each and every one of them.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.seawindsfh.com.