PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA.
Ann M. Ahlbrand passed away on December 17, 2017 in Port Charlotte, Florida after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ann was born May 27, 1940 in Beckley West Virginia, the youngest of eight children of William and Lula Miller.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ray Ahlbrand; daughter Deborah, sons Bruce (Sandra) and Jonathan (Carolyn) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ann and Ray met in Charleston, West Virginia, where she was working as an x-ray technologist. They married and then moved back to his home town Columbus, Indiana to raise their family.
Over the years Ann developed an interest in decorative and fine arts. She became docent for the Indianapolis Museum of Art and was later hired to run the docent training program. She remained a docent for 32 years.
Her interests also extended into historic preservation and architecture. After the IMA, she moved to Historic Landmarks of Indiana, where she served as director of tours.
During her tenure with Landmarks, she designed and developed tour programs for some of Indiana’s most prominent treasures such as the West Baden Spring Hotel where her tours covered both pre- and post-restoration.
Later, Ann started her own specialty tour company that focused on art, architecture, gardens and culture. She designed and lead tours to prominent museums, homes and gardens throughout North America and Europe.
Ann was also a published writer and speaker. She contributed articles and photographs to numerous regional and national publications including The Beloit Daily News, the Indianapolis Star, Lake Geneva Magazine and Indianapolis Magazine, and she was an invited speaker to many organizations.
Ann lived a rich and amazing life. She was a mother, wife, world traveler, art historian, writer, public speaker, sailor and so much more.
She was a generous and vivacious person who was instantly memorable to everyone that met her. Her life touched the lives of so many others enriching their lives through the experiences she created.
Any memorials may be made to the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
