Ann Harriet Franklin Marchino

Ann Harriet Franklin Marchino

October 4, 1942 - June 15, 2024

On June 15, 2024, Ann Marchino left this world knowing that death was just a doorway to a resurrected life and started walking around Heaven. Ann was born on October 4, 1942 in Center Point, Alabama. She is the daughter of Reverend Lee Franklin and Macie Franklin of Millbrook, Alabama. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Jere Allen of Birmingham; her brother-in-law, Jim Marchino of Evansville, Indiana; her son and her daughter and five grandchildren: Allen (Amy) Marchino of Birmingham and their sons, Charlie and Max; Leigh Ann (Andy) Pesterfield of Cleveland, TN and their children, Ben, Ashley, and Jake; four nephews and two nieces and a large extended family.

A family led by a Southern Baptist preacher meant relocating many times throughout Alabama in Ann's school-aged years. She called Holly Pond, Decatur, Hamilton, and Millbrook home. She graduated from Holtville High School near Millbrook.

Ann was part of the last graduating class of Howard College (now Samford University) in 1965 where she earned a degree in social work. She went on to receive her Masters Degree in social work from the University of Tennessee. Wanting to live closer to her sister, Faye, and her family, Ann moved to Virginia and became a social worker starting her career in Newport News, Virginia where she met Jack Marchino and married him on April 17, 1971. Ann and Jack started their family with Allen in April of 1974 and Leigh Ann in December of 1976.

Jack was in the Air Force which meant that Ann and family got to live in many wonderful places where she made lifelong friends at every stop. Those places included Panama City Beach, Florida; Denver, Colorado; Mililani, Hawaii; Austin, Texas, and Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Her career migrated to geriatric social work where she became passionate about working with people who were transitioning from one phase of life to another. She worked in a senior center, a hospital, and she led a support group for caregivers.

Throughout Ann's life, her extended family was never "extended." Siblings, nieces, nephews, and in-laws all mattered all of the time. The more the merrier was always Ann's mantra. If one family member was invited, then every family member was invited. That's just the way she liked it.

Ann was called Grammy by her five grandchildren, and she loved them fiercely. Her grandchildren fondly remember spending time with Grammy at her home on Lacey Lane eating goldfish and dino nuggets, reading books and playing games; especially Chinese Checkers. Grammy always won!

Ann was a member of Shades Crest Baptist Church; her social work background and her love of people created an opportunity for her to serve at the Green Springs Ministry Center for almost 17 years. She was faithful to help grandparents and parents who wanted to provide for their families. The power of Ann's compassion provided food on families' tables, presents under their Christmas trees, bikes to ride in the summer, and warm coats to wear in the winter. Her faithful work with this ministry demonstrated God's love to so many.

Ann Marchino loved life! She loved people. She was always up for an adventure, and she was the best at connecting with any human being. Ann knew that creating and nurturing relationships was a source of joy and life for her. And she pursued her people. She moved into Brookdale Senior Living Facility in May of 2018. Ann enjoyed book clubs, Flex Your Brain, and Rummikub. She could be seen rolling up to an activity wearing a vibrant, jewel-toned jacket ready to make merry with whomever was there. Ann would not let anyone eat alone in the dining room. As an Ambassador at Brookdale, she made it her goal to befriend and care for any resident who would let her. More than once she was elected to the Resident Council. Just like everywhere else in her life she wanted the people around her to thrive and used her voice to help make that happen.

Some of her favorites were beautiful classical music, live orchestras, old hymns, great novels, traveling to new places, Broadway musicals, feel good movies, shopping for a great bargain, a frosty from Wendy's, lemon Oreos, and a fabulous HGTV house makeover.

Quite remarkably, Ann never allowed Cerebral Palsy to hinder her drive to get the most out of life. She was class president, played the french horn, raised 2 children, traveled all over, enjoyed a fulfilling career, and tirelessly held on to those she loved... and all of it with confidence!

Ann loved her family, her friends, her church, her life. And we are all better because of her example and love.

Ann, we will miss you everyday. We promise to carry out your legacy that advocates, celebrates, and creates ways for God's love to flourish wherever we go.

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25:40

CSB

On Saturday, July 20th, a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Shades Crest Baptist Church in Bluff Park, Alabama. The visitation will be from 3-4; Anyone wanting to join us for a dinner and celebration of Ann's life is welcome and that will be from 4-6. A family gravesite farewell at Chalkville Baptist Church Cemetery in Center Point, Alabama to follow.