ANN GAIL MOORE VANZANDT
Ann Gail Moore was born in Frankfort Kentucky on August 6, 1937. Despite living outside the state for much of her adult life, she remained a "Kentucky Woman" and a diehard Wildcat fan. She at first grudgingly and later enthusiastically made room for her adopted Kansas Jayhawks basketball team and held much coveted season tickets for many years.
Ann attended the University of Kentucky, pledging the Kappa Delta Sorority. She later transferred to Cumberland College, majoring in social work with minors in music and physical education. All three interests played a part in her life. She was a member of her church choir while growing up in Kentucky, and was an avid golfer, a sport she enjoyed regularly with her departed and beloved husband, Rodney VanZandt. Ann and Rodney were married on November 23, 1957 and they soon had two daughters. Ann was a young bride, a "child bride" who never aged despite the advancement of the calendar. They began an adventure which led to several relocations around the country because of Rodney's career in coaching, teaching, and as an executive with the National Education Association.
Ann and Rodney ultimately ended up in Topeka, Kansas in the late seventies—their home for the next three decades. Having raised two daughters to young adulthood, and realizing that she could not golf all year round in Kansas, Ann pursued a career in social work through employment at the Workforce Development Division of the Kansas State Department of Human Resources. Ann was deeply involved in the training, guidance and gainful job placement of numerous Kansans for the next 15 years.
Ann passed on Saturday February 13th, 2016, rejoining her lifelong love Rodney. She leaves behind a legacy of adoring daughters Terrie and Carolyn, grandchildren Emily, Sarah, Scott and Chris, and a couple of sons-in-law (Lee Johnson and Pete Travis) who thought she was pretty darn cool despite the noise she caused playing dominoes. Ann, we will miss you and we love you "more than dirt."
Remembrances should be directed to the Rodney VanZandt Scholarship Fund at the Kansas National Education Association, 715 SW 10th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66612.
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