Ruth Anna “Annie” Farison, age 89, a native and lifelong resident of Forest, Ohio, died peacefully early Saturday morning, January 12, 2013, at the Marion Manor Nursing Home following a gradual decline in health.
On April 25, 1923, Annie was born in Forest, Ohio, the only child of the late Carl and Mildred (Spencer) Snider. She graduated from Forest High School in the Class of 1941, where she played basketball.
Shortly following graduation, Annie married her high school sweetheart, Harry B. Farison, on May 30, 1942, just before he left to serve in the Navy during World War II. She even joined him for a year of his service, while he was stationed in California. Together they shared over 45 loving years of marriage, and lovingly raised a son, Gene. Harry preceded her in death on October 20, 1987.
Returning home to Forest, Annie started as an operator for the local telephone company. She then worked for Moats Hardware Store, mainly operating their license plate bureau. Lastly, she served as a township clerk for the Jackson-Forest Ambulance District for nearly 15 years, until her retirement in the mid 1990’s. All the while, she also helped her husband, Harry, run the Farison Insurance Agency in Forest.
A woman of faith, Annie was an active member of the Forest United Methodist Church, where she served on various committees and helped wherever it was needed. She also was a member of the Mother’s Club in Forest, and was very active volunteering in the community.
Since 1959, Annie and Harry have enjoyed spending their summers at the lake in Port Clinton, Ohio, and spending their winters in Florida in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas. They were members of the Y Condo Association in Port Clinton, and Annie loved golfing with her friends during her time in Florida.
A “spring cleaning fanatic”, to say Annie liked a clean house would be quite an understatement. She also enjoyed painting Tolle paintings, and knitting afghans and blankets for her family and friends.
Having never met a stranger, Annie was a very outgoing and social lady, loving to share story after story and brag over her family. She also loved playing games with her many friends, especially card games with their pinochle and euchre card clubs.
The apples of her eye were her grandchildren, cherishing every moment she spent with them. She never missed any activity or game they participated in. More recently, she cherished her great-grandchildren too.
She will be dearly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Jan Farison of Marion; two grandchildren: Corrie (Chris) Viola of Mendham, New Jersey, and Scott (Celeste) Farison of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; four great-grandchildren: Connor and Cecelia “CeCe” Viola, and Nathan and Benjamin Farison; and many special friends.
The Farison family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2013, at the Forest United Methodist Church, 111 E. Dixon St., Forest, OH. Services celebrating her life will also be held there on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Denny Livingston officiating. Burial will follow in Hueston Cemetery in Jackson, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Forest United Methodist Church, 111 E. Dixon St., Forest, OH 45843; Jackson-Forest Ambulance District, 1699 Twp. Rd. 195, Forest, OH 45843; or to the Marion Manor Nursing Home, c/o Activity Fund, 195 Executive Dr., Marion, Ohio 43302.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all of the staff and the special girls (you all know who you are), at the Marion Manor Nursing Home, for their tender loving care of Annie.
Everyone at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home of Marion is honored to be of service to their friend and associate, Gene Farison, and his family. Your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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