Anna Marie Weiner
Anna Marie Weiner passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, in Santa Barbara, California, surrounded by her daughter, dear friends, and a compassionate hospice team.
Born on September 20, 1940, in Glendale, California, Anna Marie was the daughter of Gisela Meier, a Swiss-born artist and builder/home designer, and George Von Fleckenstein who was brought up in Rochester, NY. She grew up with her two brothers, Fritz and George, and carried forward her mother’s creativity and artistic spirit throughout her life. From the age of three, Anna Marie discovered a deep passion for ballet, which became one of the defining joys of her life.
As a child, she was imaginative and spirited, creating make-believe newspapers with her younger brother, George, and embracing both artistic and athletic pursuits. After World War II, she traveled extensively through Europe with her family, visiting Switzerland, Sweden, Paris, Italy, and London—an experience that left a lasting impression on her young life.
She flourished at Happy Valley School in Ojai, graduating in June 1959, where she formed lifelong friendships and developed her love of performance. She especially enjoyed folk dancing and Ukrainian dancing, participating in many performances, and explored pottery.
At the age of 18 or 19, Anna Marie pursued ballet professionally in Munich, Germany and Vienna, Austria performing in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. There, she met Hermann Weiner in Vienna, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond. Though her dance career ended at age 25 due to hip dysplasia, her grace and resilience remained lifelong qualities. Anna Marie became a devoted mother to her daughter, Mara, born in May 1968. After living in Vienna and marrying Hermann in 1969, She eventually returned to California, after separating from Hermann in 1974. She settled in Santa Barbara in the late 1970s, where she would remain for the rest of her life. Anna Marie and Hermann legally divorced in 1979, but they remained lifelong friends. A determined and hardworking woman, Anna Marie earned her Associates of Arts degree from S.B. City College and later a bachelor’s degree from Antioch University in 1990, all while raising her daughter and working full-time.
She dedicated many years to the Alzheimer’s Association, serving as Director of Communications, and later continued creative work in web design and graphic arts. She also volunteered extensively, including with the Ombudsman program and, Hospice Care in Santa Barbara, literacy tutoring, and ASAP (Animal Shelter Assistance Program), reflecting her deep compassion for both people and animals.
Anna Marie shared nearly 30 years with her partner Gordon, caring for him devotedly until his passing in 2010.
Throughout her life, she remained active and resilient. She was an avid walker, known for her long daily walks, and swam regularly and took many Tai Chi classes, which brought her strength and balance.
Warm, lively, and deeply kind, Anna Marie was an animal lover, an avid reader, and a lover of music and history.
She will be remembered as a graceful dancer in spirit, a devoted mother, and a woman of strength, curiosity, and heart.
Anna Marie is survived by her daughter Mara, her brother George, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gisela and George; her brother Fritz; her former husband Hermann; her partner Gordon; her sister-in-law Ruth; and her niece Darunee.
A celebration of life will be held at The Unity Church in Santa Barbara, with family and friends, on June 28th from 1:45–4:15 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Barbara. I’ve included a link to Hospice’s online donation platform in the obituary for anyone who prefers to donate electronically. (https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=10&name=E9727) If individuals would rather mail a check, they can send it to: Hospice Of Santa Barbara 2050 Alameda Padre Serra, Ste. 100 Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Attn: Development
