In loving memory of
Ann Marie Vadnais
August 20, 1938 - July 23, 2021
Ann Marie Vadnais
Nurse, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - Ann Marie Vadnais (ne'e Kowalski) died the morning of July 23rd, 2021 at the Desert Cove Assisted Living Home in Scottsdale, AZ. Born August 20, 1938 in Waterbury, CT; she was the only child of Fred and Mary Kowalski (ne'e Bestonso); Ann was 82 years old.
Ann graduated from Watertown High School, and then attended The Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing. After training, she was a registered nurse for 50+ years and worked at Waterbury Hospital and then at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Gainesville. In addition, she worked as a private duty nurse for the Visiting Nurses Association for many years.
Anyone who knew Ann quickly understood caring for others was her passion in life. Until just last year, she would still volunteer at Scottsdale Shea Hospital lifting the spirits of patients that could use a helping hand. If you needed something, she was always ready to jump in, whatever the cause. Ann was an avid reader, a whiz at knitting, loved to travel, and was always up on the latest happenings with New England sports. She was great at making new friends while always staying in touch with old pals, no matter where life took her. She was a devout Catholic and most recently attended St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale.
Ann's first 50 years were spent in Watertown/Oakville, raising her family while married to Richard G. Collins (who passed in April 1993). Rich's family was part of the Collins/Lampron family tree (which was expansive), and Ann often spoke of what memorable times they had as an extended family! Ann and her second husband Irving Vadnais relocated from Oakville to Central Florida and spent many years there, ultimately deciding to move to Arizona in 2008 (Irv went to be with the Lord in April of 2011). Ann and Irv enjoyed their retirement years traveling and spending time with family. Ann was blessed to spend the last 8 years of her life with Arthur Krumrei-he was Ann's life partner and has become a beloved friend of our family. They spent time traveling, dining out, enjoying family gatherings and watching sports; most notably White Sox baseball.
Ann leaves behind three daughters and a son; Deborah and her husband Mike Brisebois of Scottsdale, AZ, Sandra Collins of Winchester, CT, Christine Collins of Chicago, IL, and her son Richard Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Scottsdale. She cherished her five grandchildren & great-grandchild, Mike Brisebois Jr. (and his wife Lauren) of East Boston, MA; Jennifer Brisebois of Arlington Heights, IL, Derek Woike (and his wife Cassie) of Newington, CT, Lexi and Trey Collins of Scottsdale, and her newest treasure Theodore, son of Derek and Cassie.
A special thanks to The Sherman House to include Sheri and her team at Hospice of the Valley, as well as Anna and her staff at Desert Cove Assisted Living for their special care and compassion over the last four months.
A Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday, August 5th, 2021, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Scottsdale, followed by a 12:30 pm memorial at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona where Ann will rest alongside Irving.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to Hospice of the Valley at www.hovorg.com