Anathea Jean Harry

I, Dan, would like to invite her friends and family to the Celebration of Annie's life with visitation and service held on Saturday March 25th at Immaculate Heart of Mary, 3815 S. Cedar St. Lansing, MI. Visitation will start at 10:00 am with service starting at 11:00 am. Service will be followed by a lunch in the parish family center below the church.  Please rsvp on her Facebook account or text me for a lunch count.

Anathea (Annie) Jean Harry (nee Hartmann) passed into heaven on February 12, 2023, way too soon. She was surrounded by her family at the Michigan Medicine University Hospital. She was brave, strong, and fought very hard since Christmas Eve to overcome an unexpected serious illness. Annie was the first born on June 1, 1974 to Stephen S. and Cathy Jean (nee Coy) Hartmann in Lansing, Michigan. Annie is survived by her husband, Dan J. Harry; son, Aidan J. Harry; parents: Stephen S. (Tam) Hartmann and Cathy Jean (David) Norton; siblings: Miranda Sue Hartmann and David S. Hartmann; nephew Phillip and niece Emily; several close uncles, aunts, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her uncle Stan Hartmann, and grandparents: Darwin and Betty Coy, and Carl and Jean Hartmann. Annie chose to be cremated. A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up for her son, Aidan’s, future higher education.

Annie is fondly referred to as a second mom to several of Aidan’s and thus her close friends. She took pride in watching them grow into mature young adults. Annie looked forward to seeing what the future held for them. She would often high five Aidan’s classmates and offered a listening ear, whenever they wanted. Annie leaves behind many dear and close friends. She enjoyed all the time they spent together especially the conversations. She was also the proud grand mama of seven guinea pigs, who brought her great joy and cuddles. She very much loved spending time with family and friends. Annie especially loved spending her time with Aidan and Dan. Their love and bond are undeniable and forever. She wants all her family, friends, and pets to know she loves them.

Annie graduated from Holt High School in 1992. She was the high school’s first female soccer player, starting on the boys’ soccer team. Annie kept in contact with many school friends. It was in high school, where she started her medical Histologist career at the Capital Area Career Center. She then attended Ferris State University and later graduated from Davenport University with a degree in Histology. Annie met her husband, Dan, in 1994 while working at Meijer. After many years together, they were married in Las Vegas at the Excalibur Hotel Wedding Chapel in 2003 as they both loved the theme and city. They enjoyed returning there to reminisce. In 2006, they excitedly welcomed their son, Aidan, with pride and joy into the world.

Annie had a career as a managing Optician employed by RxOptical for many years and briefly for Sam’s Club Optical Center. This was before returning to university to pursue her first career interest, Histology. She made many friends with coworkers and clients while at RxOptical. Annie was often still sought out for optical advice and eyeglass adjustments. After obtaining her Histology degree, she grew her career experience while employed by several hospitals. This included the University of Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor; W.A. Foote, Jackson; and Metro Health, Grand Rapids. For the past 13 years, Annie was employed by Sparrow Hospital, Lansing. She enjoyed working on the third shift which allowed her to maximize the time she spent with Aidan, and their shared family friends. Annie took pride in the quality of her work by putting the patient’s needs first. She would often offer to work on-call and weekends. And she would troubleshoot issues to prevent delays in patient care. Annie worked hard to expedite the number of patient cases processed each shift.

Annie was a proud Holt Horizon Elementary Cub Scout Pack 640 den leader for many years. She guided Aidan and her den’s boys to achieve their goals. Annie was also a Holt Girl Scout Troop 30001 leader. She enjoyed spending her time with the girls and reliving her childhood Girl Scout experience. Annie was a Destination Imagination team leader and looked forward to spending her time with the team’s kids. She did many other various activities spending time with “her kids”. She was also an assistant coach for the Holt Archery Club for a brief time. Annie enjoyed camping, traveling, playing cards, board games, puzzles, shopping, crafts, crocheting, and sewing. She was excellent at word games like Scrabble and was difficult to beat. Annie would often craft something and give it away to someone she thought could use it. Recently she enjoyed making fleece pet pads for her own, family, and friends’ pets. She really enjoyed animals and pet-sitting for family and friends. Annie never met a pet who didn’t love and cuddle with her.

She would never admit it, but Annie was a people person. She made friends with everyone and anyone she met. Annie would strike up a conversation with the person next to her in the store line, a doctor’s office, and restaurant staff. By the end of the conversation, they were “best” friends exchanging Facebook links and looking forward to talking again. She would often help someone without being asked. She always had time for people and pets and had a hard time saying goodbye to a good conversation. Annie is already greatly missed, and her sudden loss leaves a huge empty hole in many lives.

Annie is known for giving the best hugs. She wouldn’t let a loved one or friend come or go without a giant embrace to show she loved them. When you remember and celebrate Annie’s life, give each other a big “Annie Hug”, and remember she is part of your embrace.

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/obituaries/lsj085744