Ann Collins Teachout
Ann Collins Teachout, aged 93, of Santa Barbara, CA passed away peacefully on June 18th at Valle Verde Senior Living. She was born on January 24th, 1933 in Hammond, Indiana to E.Durbin and Kathryn Collins. She had an idyllic childhood on a farm in Wayne, Illinois before moving to Joliet for high school. She graduated from Sweet Briar College in 1955 and moved to San Francisco, California where she met her husband of over 65 years, William (Bill) Teachout. Together they had three daughters, Kathy (Nelson) Jennings, Julie Klapp, and Wendy, who died in infancy. Most of their married life was spent in their beloved California, with the exception of a dozen years in Virginia and Florida while Bill was gaining experience in the home improvement industry. They spent 40 years in Orange County before moving to Santa Barbara in 2018.
Ann will be remembered for her dedication to family and friends, her love of nature, sports, travel and the theater, She had a sharp wit and a ready laugh that endeared her to many. She was a dedicated volunteer at her church and in the community. She was also a life-long learner who studied to invest in real estate and to be a docent at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Ann loved the outdoors and the creatures she found there. She was an avid birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast. She always felt energized in the mountains. No matter how tired she was at home, she was strangely invigorated in the altitude. Ann and Bill visited Yosemite National Park almost annually for 40 years. It was their favorite place on Earth. They generously shared that love with their family, who accompanied them on many stays.
In March 2021, Ann suffered a stroke that left her bedridden for the remainder of her life. Ann is survived by her two daughters, her son-in-law Nelson Jennings, six granddaughters, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two siblings, her husband Bill, her daughter Wendy, and her great granddaughter Bethany. A celebration of life will be held at 2 pm on June 18th at First Presbyterian Church of Orange. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Yosemite Conservancy.
