Ann Fitch

Ann Learned Fitch Sunday, October 16, 2011 Ann Learned Fitch will always be cherished by her family and friends for her faith, her love of nature, particularly birds, her patience and her gentle, sweet spirit. She always extended gracious hospitality and was a gifted cook, painter and gardener. She passed away very peacefully October 9, 2011 surrounded by her children in Durham, North Carolina. Born on January 11, 1929 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Samuel Stanley Learned, Jr. and Mary Helms Learned of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Ann attended the University of Kansas where her family had a long tradition of deep commitment and support. She later lived in Asheville, Charlotte and Durham, North Carolina for over 20 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband Dr. Robert Fitch of Topeka, Kansas. She leaves four children and their spouses who all treasure her memory - William Parks Fri and Deanna Fri of Denison, Texas, Stanley Learned Fri and Colinthia Whyms-Fri of Charlotte, North Carolina, Sally Helms Fri of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Carol Fri Robinson and Martin Lee Robinson of Charlotte, North Carolina. She also leaves three grandchildren, James Learned "Ned" Robinson, Linley Ann Robinson, Parks Martin Robinson and step-grandchildren, Ryan Green and Bryan Whyms, all of Charlotte, and Amanda Gill and Samantha Meaders, of Denison, Texas. She leaves four stepchildren - Leslie Fitch Van Blarcom and Cliff Van Blarcom of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Ann Fitch Mayers of Douglas, Michigan, Jane Fitch Burgess of Michigan and Tom and Janis Fitch of Scottsdale, Arizona and all their children. Gifts in her memory may be made to Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404, Great Neck, New York 11021 (www.bbrfoundation.org ) or Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 (www.nature.org). Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home, 710 S. Dewey Ave., Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is handling arrangements and the family is planning a graveside service at a later date.