It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ann Newman Clift. Born on October 16, 1941, to her late parents Dr. Samuel Parks and Mary Kathryn Newman, Ann stepped into heaven on May 4, 2023.

Ann lived a beautiful life, filled with love, faith, and dedication to her family,  and the Catholic Church. Ann received her BA in General Education in 1964 from St. Mary's Catholic Academy College for Women,  in San Diego, California.  On the career front, Ann very much enjoyed teaching elementary children for several years, until she became a stay at home wife and mother when her husband , Vern Leander Clift and herself adopted their two children, Donald Lee Clift on December 21, 1970, and Karen Ann Clift on March 11, 1974, she entirely loved both of her children unconditionally.  Ann donated to numerous charities throughout her life, especially to the Catholic Church, Pro-Life, Tunnel for Towers Foundation and others. As Ann began her retirement, she relished spending  most of her time volunteering at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Bend, Oregon, where she resided from 1997-2018. In 2018, Ann moved to Weaverville, California to live closer to her daughter, as Karen became her caregiver due to Ann being diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease.  Ann was willing to help those in need  no matter what they needed, she made time for individuals and families that she or did not know. Ann's commitment to her faith was the cornerstone of her life, as she attended Mass every day. Ann's profound faith in God will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she interacted with as well as those she reached but never met.

Ann will be remembered for her joyous spirit and her love for God and everyone. Ann's favorite pastimes included playing cribbage, card games, walking, bicycling, helping others, and most importantly, serving God daily.  Ann had an affinity for tomato soup, Oreo cookies, dark chocolate,  chocolate ice cream., and her evening Coke. During Ann's leisure time, she took solace in her quiet time with the Lord, along with quality time with her family.  As Ann began to age, her  favorite TV Shows became the Golden Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Old Westerns, and cartoon movies  and she enjoyed watching these shows with Karen every evening  while they laughed together.  Ann had  been a  lover of Christian and Oldies music, she also had a fondness for Catholic faith books.

Ann's  laugh was unique and special, her kindness had no boundaries.  Losing Ann leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of many, especially her beloved family.  Ann is survived by her son, Donald Lee Clift; her daughter, Karen Ann Clift her grandchildren, Aaron James Towner, Tiffany Dawn Stanyer, Alyssa Marie Stanyer, Bailee Dawn Clift, her great-grandchildren, Kaiden James Towner, Braiden Michael Towner, Aleah Jayne Beal, Brentley Ray Beal; and another on the way.  Ann is also remembered by her daughter-in-law, Lori Jayne Clift; and the love of her life, but later divorced in 2003, Vern Leander Clift. She was predeceased by her sister, Helen Jean Mesich and her brother, Dr. Thomas Newman.

A Catholic Mass was said for Ann by Father Steven Wood and it was held on May 31, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Trinity Alps Funeral Home in Weaverville, California.  It was a beautiful tribute to a life lived with love and dedication to the Lord our God, and her legacy will remain timeless within those who had the honor of knowing her. Her jovial personality, her dedication to her family, and her commitment to her faith is the legacy she leaves behind.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Catholic Church, or the above named charities, as Ann would prefer that.

"You never said I'm leaving, you never said goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and only God knew why.  A million time we needed you, a million times we cried.  If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill.  It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home."  Author Unknown

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