Anne Opland's legacy is the loving family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she left behind. A central figure in the lives of each child, she shared her faith, commitment to family, and love of music and sports. A devoted servant of God, faithful friend, comforting mother and grandmother, Anne will be remembered and missed by many.

The Roaring Twenties carried Big Band and Jazz music and America's pastime, Baseball, over the radio airwaves. Amidst this, George and Agnes Meade welcomed their second girl, Winifred Annette Meade on July 13, 1922 in the tiny village of Leonard, Michigan.

As a young child, Anne learned generosity from her mother, who often took coffee to the train station for the less fortunate and from her sister, who created woven flower baskets for neighbors. Anne attended Leonard school, where all twelve grades met in the three-room building and Leonard Methodist Church, where her mother was the church pianist. Her father sang hymns at home as she played, cementing a love of music in Anne.

The Great Crash of 1929 impacted her family tremendously, as her father worked at the town bank, making him responsible for sharing the news of financial ruin with friends and neighbors. After this, her mother gave piano lessons. Anne frequently told stories of how she spent the time outside to not interrupt the lessons, using her imagination, creating paper dolls out of Montgomery Ward catalogs. Her frugality and appreciation for simple joys stemmed from her experiences of growing up in the Depression.

At age 16, Anne met Raymond Opland, who would become her husband, while attending Pontiac High School, where she sang in the Girls' Glee Club and he played percussion in the orchestra. After graduation, Anne attended Pontiac Business School while Ray became one of the drum majors in the University of Michigan band. She developed a passion for Michigan Football, noting all of the scores for the 1942 season in her exquisite penmanship in a tiny notebook, celebrating their 7-3 record. During a football game halftime, Ray gave Anne a diamond ring on the field. On March 12, 1943, Ray and Anne married in Pontiac.

Anne worked at American Forging Company and as a comptometer operator. After her husband joined the US Army Band, Anne traveled with him and worked for the government, filing papers. The family moved to Traverse City and later to Ypsilanti, where Ray taught band. Together they celebrated the arrival of seven children, mourning the loss of one at birth.

As a wife and mother, Anne spent her days devoted to caring for her family. She cooked meals, like meat pie, from scratch, kept clothing perfectly ironed, and managed the family finances dutifully. Beyond this, Anne encouraged her family's pursuit of their passions. From Girl Scouts and Little League Baseball, to cheerleading and band concerts, the Opland children knew the love of a caring and selfless mother. No activity was more important to Anne than taking her children to church every Sunday. To further each child's personal relationship with Jesus, Anne modeled a devoted prayer life. Anne's genuine love of her children remained evident to the end, as she gave her love and time unconditionally. More concerned with their safety and happiness than her own, she exemplified the true definition of a mother in every sense.

After Ray's passing in 1975, Anne enjoyed traveling with family and friends from church, including memorable trips to the Holy Land, Egypt, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. With her sister, Margaret, she enjoyed Dr. Charles Stanley's Bible Cruises. She also enjoyed attending Michigan Basketball and Football and Detroit Tigers games with family.

Anne was instrumental in the lives of her grandchildren, playing pretend library, modeling coloring technique, developing lunch menus for eager children, and ensuring that all details were fair–even to the point of dividing meatballs in Spaghettios. She loved to gift dolls and stuffed animals, adding to the comfort she always offered each of them through her consistent presence and warm hugs. Cards arrived for each grandchild nearly every holiday, always signed "Lots of Love, Grandma O." Her brownies were a staple at holiday gatherings, as she always tried to share what her grandchildren loved best.

Anne volunteered with the Children's Ministry program as a Sunday School teacher at Ypsilanti First United Methodist Church, sharing God's love with dozens of children and families. She later attended Ypsilanti Free Methodist Church.

Anne passed away on October 30, 2023 at the age of 101. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, and sister, Margaret; sons, Raymond "Pete" and Jimmy; son-in-law, Keith Snelling; and grandson, Brent Graves. She is survived by her loving children, Nancy Snelling, Marty Graves (Dave), Marilyn Thomas (Joel), Robert Opland (Carol), Scott Opland (Kristine); 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will take place Friday, November 3, 2023 at 1 pm at Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti, with a Memorial service to follow at a later date.