Obit--Annabel Jenks Gerken
Annabel May Gerken
Annabel May Gerken, 87, passed away peacefully at Ashley Manorin Medford, her home for the last 3 yrs., on Feb. 23, 2006. Annabel was born Oct. 23, 1918 in Reading, MA. She was the youngest child of Gladys and Charles Jenks.
Family mourning her loss include sister, Isabel Thompson and brother, Charles Jenks Jr. Annabel's surviving children are daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Donny Roze, of Ashland, and son and daughter-in-law, William and Elizabeth Gerken of San Diego, CA. Beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren are: Sarah Offley and husband Caleb; Anna Champagne, husband Eli, and children Isaiah and Dominic; Stephanie Summers and her husband Brett; Adam Mrozek and Amy and Natalie Gerken.
Annabel was married to Valentine W. Gerken in Jan. of 1948. He passed away October of 1990. Blessings on their reunion. Annabel was nicknamed Peachy when she was a baby because she was quite blonde with a glowing, peachy complextion. As grandchildren arrived she was lovingly referred to as "Nana."
Annabel was a caring and compassionate person. She held no prejudices, loving people of all walks. She taught her children at an early age that the reason there were so many different kinds of people was for the same reason God created a great variety of flowers...to make the world a more beautiful place to live. Nana helped to make the world a more beautiful place to live. She valued animals, music, nature and all of Life. She loved God and saw God's reflection everywhere. She had a good sense of humor and could beat the pants off of anybody playing cribbage or scrabble.
Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the caregivers of Ashley Manor for the Love and Care they gave to Nana.
As a tribute to Nana, please consider all you have to be grateful for and let a loved one know you care, today.
Published in the Mail Tribune on 3/28/2006.