Ann Smith Tomlinson's Obituary
Ann "Bird" Smith Tomlinson of McDaniel, Maryland, went to her eternal home on Thursday, November 17, 2022. She was 92 years old.
Born on April 1, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland, she lived in West Arlington until 1940 when her family moved to Randallstown, Maryland. As a child and young woman, Ann was a skilled horsewoman, participating and winning ribbons in many shows on her pony, Whitey. Ann also went to the Peabody Conservatory for piano studies, often telling her family how much she disliked piano recitals. She graduated from Catonsville High School (despite cutting an enormous amount of days!) in 1947, and continued her education at Bard Avon Business School where she obtained a secretarial degree.
Ann married her high school sweetheart, Dick, in 1948 and continued working by his side in her family's concrete products business. She was instrumental in the operation of the
business-running the front office, bookkeeping and general management. This was true at home, too, with having 4 children in 7 years.
After 42 years of raising their family and working in the business, Ann and Dick retired to their log home, built by Dick, in McDaniel, MD. Retirement brought many adventures. Ann and Dick became avid RV travelers and took many trips over many miles including Alaska, the Southwest and 10 winter trips to Florida. They upgraded through 4 trucks and RV's in their time, as well as a few flat tires. Ann was the organist for Tilghman United Methodist Church for 30 years. During the past year, Ann enjoyed zipping around the neighborhood in her Kawasaki Mule, spreading smiles and stories to all she passed. Her humor,pragmatism and most of all her steady faith in God sustained her and everyone who was blessed to know her.
Ann enjoyed their log home on the water and could be seen crabbing from the dock with her grandchildren or sailing down the creek with them in her little sail boat. Many Thanksgivings were spent with the family crowded around the kitchen, eating Oysters Rockefeller, laughing and waiting for a delicious turkey dinner.
Ann served as a volunteer at Talbot Hospice for over 10 years, with the last few years as a doula. She immensely enjoyed her role in assisting patients and giving them comfort in their final days.
Ann was known to all as "Bird" or "Granny Bird", a name that began during her golfing days when her large, round glasses created owl-like tan lines around her eyes. She loved animals, especially elephants, horses and her dogs: Lassie, Hansi, Sheba, Sandy, Bootsie and Wizzie, each more beloved than the last.
After 72 devoted years of marriage, Ann was preceded in death by Dick (May 11, 2020) and her sister, Jane (October 2, 2007). She is survived by her 4 children, Rick, Vicki (Tyde), Ken (Polly) and Jeff (Johnnie decd. 2008). Also survived by six grandchildren, Andrea (Scott), Julie (Richard), Hannah (Joe), Jenna (Joe), Jamie (Chris) and Benjamin (decd. 2006). One of her absolute delights in life were her eight great-grandchildren, Jersuha, Serah, Judah, Lucas, Leah, Lauralee, Alyssa and Carter and she took great joy in knowing that her "greats" were old enough to remember her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586
Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.
Arrangements are entrusted to Framptom Funeral Home, St. Michaels, MD. Services will be private. Share memories with the family at www.framptom.com
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