It’s that time of the year when the Christian community focuses on eternal things. We are reminded of Christ’s death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter, which also has us thinking about the hope of heaven.
At the Well Community, our minds have been on that especially this week as we grieve the death of one of our favorite and long-serving volunteers. Ann Tabony taught art classes to our members for over 13 years. Her quiet, grace-filled manner provided the perfect atmosphere for these “students” to explore a new hobby or develop a budding talent. In the process, Ann uncovered some exceptional gifts among our members. We’ve missed her since she stepped away from teaching the art class in 2020, but all the more so now that she is gone.
Ann demonstrated profound respect for our members. “I like to have them to have one place where they go where they’re treated like I would treat another person,” she said in an interview a few years ago. In 2019 the Well Community presented Ann with our Founder’s Award. It is given to volunteers who have contributed richly to the well-being of Well members in significant and ongoing ways. And she certainly had.
As a faith-based organization, we celebrate Christlikeness when we see it, and within Ann we saw his humility, unconditional love and anticipation of better. We are so grateful for Ann and others among us who encourage our faith and help us celebrate the everlasting hope of a heaven where there are no more sorrows. And Ann will be there to greet us.