My Mom's Life and Legacy

My mom (who was originally named Ann Victoria Klinger), then became Ann Victoria Stiess after she was adopted by Clifford Stiess, who married my grandma, Betty Klinger, who then became Betty K. Stiess.  My mom was an extraordinary woman who lived a life filled with love, compassion, and perseverance. She was a shining example of strength and resilience, always putting others before herself and never backing down from a challenge. Her legacy continues to inspire me and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.  She had an ego that was quite sure of herself, enabling her to accomplish many things in her life.

Early Years

My mom grew up where she learned the value of hard work and perseverance from a young age. She was the eldest of two siblings and took on a lot of responsibility at a young age. She often had to care for her younger sister, Jeannie.  Despite facing many challenges, she could be negative yet generally allowed a positive attitude and a determination to lead the way which helped her to succeed.

Family

Family was the most important thing to my mom. She was a devoted wife and mother, always putting her family's needs above her own. She created a warm and loving home where everyone was welcomed with open arms. Her unconditional love and support were the foundation of our family, and we are forever grateful for the time we had with her.  She always made sure my sister Linda and I had enough to eat, were clothed, schooled and housed.

Career

My mom had a successful career in the help industry, where she worked tirelessly to care for others by helping them have jobs. Later she would own her own help agency, of which her company once grossed over a million dollars.  She was passionate about making a difference in people's lives and dedicated herself to providing the best possible care to her customers, attending breakfasts, luncheons and becoming a leader in her local Chamber Of Commerce.. Her compassion and kindness were evident in everything she did, and she touched the hearts of everyone she encountered.  She was an avid reader!

Community Involvement

My mom was actively involved in our community, volunteering her time and energy to help tothers. She was a compassionate and caring person who always went above and beyond to make a difference. Whether it was organizing charity events, volunteering or helping a neighbor in need, my mom was always there to lend a hand. She even tried to make it to whatever events my sister and I had going on at school whenever she could, though it was difficult because of work!

Legacy

My mom's legacy lives on in the hearts of all those who knew her. She taught us the importance of compassion, kindness, and resilience. Her strength and grace in the face of adversity continue to inspire me to this day. I am forever grateful for the love and guidance she gave me, and I will always strive to live up to the example she set.  My only disappointment is the end of her life in which others in my family forced her into hospitals, nursing and senior homes where her once staunch freedom and will were circumvented by endlessly transfering her to so many different places in her later life!  This took away her freedom, ability to make independent choices and decide her own fate!  If you take that away from someone, you've taken away everything!  I have only my sister Linda and niece Rebecca to blame for that, who wielded POWER OF ATTORNEY over her, my mom did not want them to have!

Conclusion

My mom's life and legacy are a testament to the power of love, compassion, and strength. She was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of everyone she met. Her memory will always be cherished, and I am grateful for the time I had with her. I hope to honor her legacy by living a life filled with the same love, kindness, and perseverance that she demonstrated every day.  I stayed in touch with my mom during the last years of her life by calling her everyday from Canada and speaking to her as much as possible.  This proved invaluable and gave me a true insight on just what her life was really like during these very difficult days for her.