Ann Bear

Ann Patterson Bear 70, Indianapolis, passed away August 25, 2013. She was born on July 19, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA, the daughter of the late Ford and Elinor Patterson. Ann and her family lived in several mid-west states; including, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, and Missouri. After graduating from Shawnee East High School, in Kansas City, she attended the University of Kansas. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and earned a Master's from Ball State University. She was married to Richard Hite, and lived in Dallas, TX, before moving to Indianapolis. Her daughter, Debra Louise Hite, was born in Indianapolis in 1969. She later divorced, and married Mark K. Bear in 1976. Ann is survived by her husband, Mark; daughter, Debbie (Jim) Dyar; and granddaughter, Cassie Dyar. Ann taught in Washington Township at Harcourt Elementary School. She was a Title One Math instructor, and taught at Allisonville, Crooked Creek, John Strange, Nora Elementary… but her first love was Harcourt Elementary. Ann was a member of Fifth Church of Christ Scientist, and she served as a Board Member, Sunday School Superintendent, and other church leadership positions. She also served as Chairman and helped establish the Indiana Committee of the Principle Foundation. Ann was a long-time member of the Central Indiana Bicycle Association, which was a very important part of her life. She rode in many Hilly Hundreds, Amishland Rides, Apple-Cider Century Rides, and many training rides starting at Lawrence North, and ending on Sargent Road, where the goats were. Ann and Mark ended up buying that house and living there for 23 years. Ann loved to travel. She had done many trips this summer, including Paris, Boston, and Bismark. Ann was passionate about Lewis and Clark, and has enjoyed traveling on the Lewis and Clark Trail, and being active in the Trail Heritage Foundation. She just attended the 2013 Annual Meeting in Bismark, ND. Ann loved sports, and was a baseball fan and had season tickets to the Indianapolis Indians for many years, where she found many new friends. Ann was always wanting to help children in any way she could. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teacher's organization involved in helping children. Ann was a person who lived life to the fullest. She loved life and she lived life. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 7, 2013, at Flanner and Buchanan – Broad Ripple, 1305 East Broad Ripple Avenue. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist, 655 East 62nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan