Ann Marie Orhelein's Obituary
Ann Marie Orhelein, age 80, of Fenwick Island, DE, died Monday, September 29, 2008, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, MD. She was born January 13, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of the late Mary and James Brown. Mary Brown was born Mary Mangan in County Westmeath in Ireland.
Ann was the oldest of three children. She had two brothers, Dan and James, both deceased. She attended Bishop McDonnell High School where she was the Valedictorian of her senior class in 1946.
She fell in love with Anthony Orhelein in 1948 and they were married April 15, 1950. They moved to Washington, DC when Anthony joined the DC Fire Department. They lived in Kensington, MD and then moved to Fenwick Island, DE 34 years ago.
While raising a family of five children, Ann worked various jobs in sales, accounting and even data processing. She worked for Meals on Wheels and taught English to Spanish speaking members of the community.
Ann also had a strong creative and artistic streak. She enjoyed reading, especially mysteries, writing short stories and poetry. She had two short stories published, translated religious material, and was currently writing childrens stories.
Ann was deeply devoted to the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. Her favorite saints were St. Michael the Archangel, St. Therese the Little Flower, and St. Francis. She loved St. Francis Prayer for Peace.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Anthony and her five children, Kathy, Michael, Mark, Jim and Mary. She was also blessed with seven grandchildren, Stephen, Cameron, Megan, Christopher, Ryan, McKenzie and Keegan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. David Kelley on Friday, October 3, 1:00 PM, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE. Friends may call at the church beginning at 12:00 Noon. Interment will be Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville, DE.
Please omit flowers. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: The Little Sisters of Jesus & Mary, PO Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802 or Franciscan Friars, PO Box 100, 143 East Pulaski St., Pulaski, WI 54162 or Salesian Missions, 2 Lefevre Ln., PO Box 30, New Rochelle, NY 10802 or Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska, 1312 Pager Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709.
Send online condolences to: [email protected]
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