Anne C. Petersen, age 52, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2014.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl ""Sonny "" Switzer and Martha Switzer, her brother, William Switzer, her father-in-law, Ralph D. Petersen, and a sister-in-law, Belinda Petersen.
Survivors include her loving husband, Craig A. Petersen, her sister, Theresa (Keith) Beech, nephews, Todd Beech, Kevin (Lisa) Beech, Shannon Switzer, Brian (Shayla) Switzer, her mother-in-law, Joline Petersen, her brothers-in-law, Tommy (Karen) Petersen, Doug (Bridget) Petersen, her best friend, Michelle (Hugh) Frazier, and numerous loving relatives and friends.
She was a graduate of Harrison Central High School and later attended Phillips Junior College. She worked at The Eye Clinic and later worked at Compass Imaging. Anne was one of the most vibrant, caring, and quite frankly one of the funniest persons you will ever meet. She had a huge heart full of goodness and compassion. Since 2009, Anne and her husband Craig have run the Lyman Youth Association in Gulfport which offers football and cheerleading to kids ages 5-12. The Lyman program became their passion. Anne was a fixture in the concession stand and could always be found there until her health begin to fail.
Anne faced challenges her entire life, starting with Hodgkin's Disease as a teen and later battled breast cancer as an adult. She won both of these battles, hands down. The radiation she received as a teen damaged her heart and ultimately caused her heart to fail landing her on the transplant list. No matter what God puts in front of you ...""LIVE LIFE ANYWAY"" is what Anne wrote on the board in her hospital room the day she found out that a heart transplant was not possible. Although she couldn't overcome an unwinnable battle, she still fought the war courageously with dignity, grace, humor, and most importantly love for her family, friends, and community.
Anne was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of meeting her. God anointed a new Angel with His taking of Anne Petersen. He left our mortal world an emptier place, but it will always be brighter knowing she is watching over us. Craig would like to formally thank the staff of Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans with a very special thanks to Dr. Hamang Patel for his unmatched compassion and care for Anne.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, from 10 am - 12 noon at Michael Memorial Baptist Church, 15053 John Clark Road, Gulfport, MS. The funeral service will be at noon in the church sanctuary. Interment will be in Finley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be sent to benefit the kids of the Lyman Youth Association, P.O. Box 2392, Gulfport, MS 39505.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Gulfport, is in charge of arrangements and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com.
Visitation
OCT 29. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Michael Memorial Baptist Church 15053 John Clark Road Gulfport, MS, US, 39503
Service
OCT 29. 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Michael Memorial Baptist Church 15053 John Clark Road Gulfport, MS, US, 39503
Interment
Finley Cemetery Highway 53 Gulfport, MS, 39503