Mary S. (Meyer) Annis passed away on May 8, 2012. She had fallen May 7 (20 years to the day that her husband, Aldon, died) and passed away during hip replacement surgery on May 8. Her obituary can be found at:
http://flannerbuchanan.tributes.com/show/Mary-Shirley-Meyer-Annis-93777580

God Provides – by Betsy Fladung for Mary’s Memorial Service – May 19, 2012

Mary used to tell us, “Don’t get old!” Seven years ago, a major health crisis forced Mary to give up her independence and move from the home in Texas she had shared with her late husband, Aldon, to live near one of her children. Although she knew it was the right thing to do and she chose to come to Indiana, she wasn’t happy about it.

That move proved to be a timely choice. A year later, Mary suffered a severe stroke which left her profoundly disabled. After intensive rehab she fought her way back to her feet – largely with the help of a therapy dog named Larkin. But due to a condition called Aphasia, she could no longer carry on normal conversations. She knew in her mind exactly what she wanted to say, but it took a lot more effort for her to speak or write the words she longed so desperately to communicate. She also lost the use of her right hand. She could no longer knit or crochet which was one of her many passions and creative gifts. Mary, who had always been the strong, capable, and fiercely independent woman who cared for others, had to move into “Assisted” Living at Summer Trace. Her world no longer made sense and she wasn’t happy about it.

But God answers prayers and we saw God provide for Mary in a big way. 

• God provided the opportunity for her daughter, Betsy, and her son-in-law, Phil, to walk beside her as her primary caregivers through the challenges she faced in the last seven years. 
• God provided opportunities for her growing family to bless her through calls, cards, and wonderful visits, including one last glorious family reunion just four months ago. 
• God provided the Bible Study at Summer Trace that Mary went to - always looking for Pete, a dog who visited the group and sat by her. Joan Keniff made sure Mary had a seat where she could hear and provided her with the lessons if she wasn’t there. (Pete just passed away earlier this week of cancer.)
• God provided a phenomenal Aphasia Support Group, where Butler Speech Professor, Mary Gospel, and her students offer encouragement and support to stroke survivors with communication issues. Mary had dear friends there, and (surprise) one was a sweet dog named Abigail Adams. 
• God provided nurses and staff throughout Manor Care at Summer Trace who dearly loved Mary and treated her like family.  We are so very thankful for that.
• God provided friends who chose to see the person behind her disabilities and watched out for her. 
• God provided friends for Mary to love, and comfort, care for and watch out for at Summer Trace. 
• God provided the stray cat who came to live with Mary. Mrs. Whiskers was her closest companion.
•  And finally God provided Mary with a peace that passes understanding that is available to all of us.

In her last four months, in spite of the fact that her physical health was worse than ever, and she needed more help in every day living, Mary was - by the grace of God - the happiest she had been since leaving her home in Texas. After falling and breaking her hip on May 7 (20 years to the day that she had lost her husband, Aldon), Mary kept pointing up to heaven. Seven years almost to the day that she moved to Indiana on Mother’s Day 2005, Mary made her last and final move to take up residence in her eternal home in heaven (where she can now speak and knit!) when she very peacefully passed away during hip replacement surgery on May 8, 2012. We reassured her surgeon that God was in control that day.

In the One Year Bible, the New Testament passage from May 8 (the day she died) begins with: “I (Jesus) tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) Mary has crossed over from death to life very peacefully and NOW she IS happy! The peace God provided to Mary is available to each and every one of us as we face life’s trials and challenges. God invites each of us to turn our lives over to him by accepting the free gift of salvation that Jesus Christ provided by his death on the cross.  It is never too late in life to have a personal relationship with and Him and have peace that passes understanding.

Footnote for Caregivers: This is the verse God gave Betsy when she and Phil became Mary’s caregivers: “Be strong and courageous, and get to work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task, for the Lord God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work is finished correctly.” (1 Chronicles 28:20) It is absolute truth.