Ann Woodlief's Obituary
Ann Woodlief (Willie Ann), 71 years old, of San Jose, CA, passed away peacefully at her home on December 28, 2014 after four decades of enduring a chronic illness, Sarcoidosis. She was a devoted mother and grandmother.Ann was born December 11, 1943 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Willie and Mary Winsey. She was baptized and attended Israelite Baptist Church in Baton Rouge and as a young teen, played the piano and organ for her church and at various other churches and functions. She attended McKinley High School graduating as Salutatorian of her class. She also attended Southern University in Baton Rouge. In 1961, she married Leroy Woodlief of Baton Rouge, and to their union had three children. They moved to California in 1963. Ann worked as a telephone operator for Pacific Bell while settling in San Francisco for a few years before they purchased their first home in Daly City, CA. There, Ann was a dedicated stay at home mom while her three children were school-aged. She volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader, Boy Scout den mother, and at the schools her children attended as well as devoting time to her church. She continued her volunteerism and dedication to her children after the family moved to Milpitas in 1974. She was a wonderful seamstress and loved making clothing and costumes for her children and friends. Ann eventually began working at Syntex Pharmaceuticals (which later became Roche) in 1985 and retired as a Clinical Data Project Manager after 18 years of employment. She loved shopping, cooking, traveling, decorating her home, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and hearing from close family and friends.Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Mary Winsey, ex-husband Leroy Woodlief, sisters Mary Stringfellow, Juanita Winsey, Gloria Porter and Eloise Young.Ann leaves to mourn her passing; two sons and one daughter, Lee Woodlief, Victor Woodlief and Marva Gelesic, a doting son-in-law, Bradley, three loving grandchildren, Tory Brundage, Alana Gelesic, Evan Gelesic, two sisters, Alma Carey and Lucinda Clark of Baton Rouge, LA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will be greatly missed.Thank you to all who have reached out to Ann Woodlief’s family and offered condolences. Thank you to Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park for their assistance.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research -stopsarcoidosis.org, 1820 W. Webster Ave., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60614.
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