Anna Fleming

Anna Brinks Fleming passed away on February 20, 2018. Although the timing of her death was unexpected, she was ready to end her struggles on this earth and move on to her eternal home with her Lord and Savior. Anna was the ninth of ten children born to parents Florence and James Brinks. She was born in 1936 in Hannibal, Wisconsin. Her parents were with the National Mission Board of the Presbyterian Church, and her early childhood was spent in the small towns and rural communities of the Midwest, as her family lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska, before finally moving to Oregon. Anna attended all four years of high school at Nestucca High school in Cloverdale, Oregon, where she graduated at the top of her class and received the honor of Valedictorian. After graduating high school, Anna moved to Santa Barbara to attend Westmont College, where she had earned a scholarship. Anna loved her time at Westmont, graduating with honors in four years in 1958 with a degree in education. She then became an elementary school teacher, living and working in Santa Barbara. This was a very enjoyable time in her life, and she met the love of her life, Dr. John Fleming while attending the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara. After a lengthy courtship, the two were married in 1962. In 1966, when their firstborn child was one month old, they moved from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo, where John began his long tenure as the radiologist at San Luis Obispo General Hospital. It was here in San Luis Obispo they raised their four children (John, Annie, David, and Mary) and became active in the community. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church in San Luis Obispo for many years, and then at Grace Church as their children became active in the church youth group. In the early 1980’s, Anna opened her first Hallmark store, Mary Anne’s Hallmark. She was a successful entrepreneur, dedicated to growing her business and improving the lives of her employees. Through the years she opened and operated 7 stores. She enjoyed her employees and customers tremendously, and touched many lives through this business. After over 20 dedicated years, she decided to retire from the retail business so that she could focus on her husband and grandchildren. Anna had a great love for traveling. After her children were grown, Anna and John enjoyed adventure traveling all over the world, often on bicycle. Other hobbies included cooking, gardening, swimming, and one of her greatest passions—studying the bible. She especially enjoyed her role as grandmother, and was very involved in the everyday lives of these precious little ones. In 2006, Anna became a member of P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization dedicated to the advancement of women through scholarships. She greatly enjoyed the companionship of these women, and a highlight of her week was a weekly bridge game, which Anna was able to host at her house until the week before her death. Anna remained very close to her family, regularly connecting with her sisters at sister reunions, and as an extended family with large family reunions every 4 years, a legacy which will continue with future generations. In 2008, Anna suffered a debilitating stroke, which paralyzed the right side of her body. This was so hard for her, drastically changing her life, as everything became incredibly difficult physically for her. Nevertheless, she persisted, teaching us all so much about courage, patience, and love through her daily struggles. She was blessed to have her youngest child, Mary and her family live with her for the next 10 years. The home was filled with warmth, good smells, the laughter of children, and the nuzzles of a sweet golden retriever whose gentle spirit brought her much peace. Anna passed away 9 days before what would have been the 10th anniversary of her stroke. Anna was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, sister, and encourager to all who knew her. Her strong faith and hope in Jesus Christ was the anchor of her entire life. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Anna was preceded in death by an infant daughter and, in 2010, her husband of 47 years, Dr. John Fleming. Anna is survived by her sisters Grace Huffaker, Mary Cox, Florence Larsson, and Esther Bennett, her children; John Fleming, of San Luis Obispo, Annie Torres, of Buellton, David Fleming of Fort Worth, TX, and Mary Teague of Arroyo Grande; and her 12 grandchildren, Ben and Emily Fleming; Liliana, Olivia and Diego Torres; Micah, Ben, and Sarah Uzores, Joshua and Lydia Fleming; and Tori and Tyler Teague. Those wishing to make a donation in her honor may do so by contributing to scholarships through her local P.E.O. chapter. Checks can be made out to Chapter WO, P.E.O. and mailed to 8360 Huasna Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Church of San Luis Obispo on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at one o’clock, with a reception immediately following at the church.

Anna Fleming

October 26, 1936 - February 20, 2018