Patricia "Pat" Ann Anker

Patricia “Pat” Ann Anker of Carmel, Ind., passed away unexpectedly on January 9, 2020, from an apparent stroke.  While her loved ones struggle to make sense of their sudden and heartbreaking loss, they are together, as they always have been, clinging to one another as a family comforted by what they know will be an emerging sense of peace exhibited by Pat’s faith and loving spirit.

Pat spent her too-short 73 years as a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, each day in the service of others.

Born March 18, 1946, the ninth of 10 children in rural White County, Ind., Patricia “Tresa” Ann McGill is remembered by her siblings and schoolmates for her charming smile and easygoing manner.  Married to her high school sweetheart, Gary Wayne Anker, in the spring of 1965, they raised two children, Terry Wayne Anker of Carmel, Ind., and Tiffany Jean Lindsay of Indianapolis, Ind., before Gary preceded her to heaven in 1999.

Terry married the former Carolyn Anne Ellis on June 23, 1990, and they have reared two sons, Carlton Wayne Anker and Stuart William Anker, both continuing their studies at McKinney School of Law and Wabash College, respectively.

Tiffany married Nathan Ross Lindsay on June 19, 1999, and they are raising three lovely children, Adeline Grace Lindsay, Gavin Ross Lindsay and Garrett James Lindsay. The two older siblings are students at North Central High School, and Garrett is a student at Allisonville Elementary School.

Always busy, Pat was active as an early supporter of her community through church, various service clubs, education institutions, and she directly offered a helping hand wherever she could.  With family, she never missed a birthday, game, recital, play, meal, or even the passing chance to share a smile with someone who might need it.

She supported six older brothers and a husband in military service.  She lived both the good and difficult times with equal dedication, and she was preceded in death by seven siblings, husband and parents. She provided daily care as her mother slowly transitioned from independence to hospice.

Pat reveled in and hosted countless community events, soirees and meetings, always encouraging people to care for themselves and others.  She educated herself as a voracious reader, inspiring, encouraging and leading her children to go on to higher learning as first-generation college students.

She took little credit and gave much.  She cried with the pain of others, offering messages of hope and comfort.  But mostly, she laughed often and loudly, always bringing all into the joke.  She believed her life was blessed by God to have others in it; but surely, she was the blessing to her family, friends and anyone with whom she came in contact.

Even as she would today be trying to help those who survive her find order in a worldly life of joy and pain, she knows that until we are all again united that we are left with a sense of deep longing for her absence but an understanding, imbued by her, that with time comes perspective.

Visitation is planned for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, 325 E. Carmel Dr, Carmel, Ind., and the funeral service is planned for 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, also at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel. A date for interment is to be determined.

Those wishing to make donations in Pat’s memory may do so to the Boy Scouts of America (www.crossroadsbsa.org) or to the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site (www.bhpsite.org).