It was my second or third season in Ash Mountain and I was helping Annie prepare for a party. She nudged me towards her impressive collection of music and told me to put together a dance tape. Thinking back, it was her faith in me, misguided though it was, that propelled me forward and I recorded several songs before having to leave. Arriving as th...
Linda Mutch My mind has been replaying so many memories of Annie these past weeks. Some of my favorites have to do with skiing, as we shared a love of winter and going out to enjoy the snow whenever possible. Getting to work for her my first winter in these parks was the best job as it involved skiing in Giant Forest and up to Emerald and Pear Lakes to do air quality, hydrology, throughfall chemistry, and snow data collection... and did I say it involved skiing? Annie came out in the field whenever she could, and often brought gourmet lunches that she shared. She always had the perfect tool or gear for any unexpected need that might arise, and she had a joyful smile all day long, no matter what the weather or how many large plops of wet snow fell on us from the giant sequoias. I fondly recall a couple foggy, chilly days when we sat inside Tharp's Log (back in the day when that was possible) to eat our lunches. We would fantasize about how cozy it would be with a small fire in the old fireplace (no worries - never happened except in our imaginations). Outside of work, Annie would organize various ski days or trips. My favorites were my 30th birthday celebration she orchestrated at Tahoe, where friends came from near and far to join us at her sister's cabin in Truckee to ski and celebrate, and skis to Pear Lake Hut, especially the one with the Hawaiian shirts in 1995. I also love remembering her in her park house, with her entry way converted to a ski shop, where she generously adjusted and maintained people's skis (work ones and those of friends) - sharpening edges, cleaning and waxing the bases, messing with bindings, and just fixing things. I will always remember her smiling in one of her favorite Hawaiian shirts, doing tele-turns down a powdery slope somewhere high up in the Tokopah, and cooking a favorite dish in her kitchen surrounded by friends and dogs with wagging tails. And I when I ski, walk, or just wander out in the Kaweah River watershed, from the foothills to the sequoia groves to the high country, she will never be far away.
Linda Mutch Annie knew better than anyone how to really celebrate a birthday. Her 50th in 2006 was a big party, as she wasn’t necessarily expected to make it to 50 in the earlier years of her heart surgery and treatment. This party, like so many of the gatherings she instigated, was her happy place. A roomful of people wearing Hawaiian shirts, eating good food, and drinking their favorite beverage, and laughing. Annie loved the Aloha Friday tradition at SEKI, and she had quite the collection of Hawaiian shirts. It was pretty much required attire at an Annie birthday party (or she would give you that askance look – “what were you thinking?”). You know it’s a really special occasion when Jill and Sue perform their original lyrics to some familiar tune. Another special occasion was Annie’s 40th. That day, August 9, 1996, a grid power outage happened throughout much of the west coast states. This happened while we were all cooking our dishes for Annie’s party. I will never forget being outside with my backpacking stove cooking paella in my Dutch oven, with temps in the low 100s. Somehow, after the party started, the power came back on, which was a good thing, as there had to be a functioning stereo system to do justice to Annie’s favorite music mixes. Annie’s social skills were so stellar that she could even get introverts like me to look forward to whatever social event she organized. Missing you like crazy Annie.
I worked for Annie as a Physical Science Tech seasonal, my first job with the NPS. I was incredibly lucky. I got training, I got to work with other divisions, I got to be included in fun long term projects, and I got treated like a full member of the team. It took me some time to realize how lucky I was and to understand that not every new seasonal...
Jill A Ortiz Just being friends.
Erika Williams Annie, thank you for everything you shared with us.
I'm writing from a BLM campground east of Kanab, Utah on a phone with a weak signal and trusting my favorite memory of Annie gets thru; Annie brought it up everytime I saw her and we both laughed, every time. Years ago, a few days before she had her first heart procedure I bumped into Annie in the parking lot at Ash Mtn HQ. She needed surgery of c...
Yesterday we all lost a very special woman. A woman who greatly influenced Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks during her 37 years working here. When Mitch and I first moved to the park, I was given Annie’s name as a good person to contact based on my interests and background. After hearing Annie speak at the science symposium, I walked up to h...
N Hendricks Annie and Joan
N Hendricks Annie presenting Tom Burge his Sequoia Retirement honor.
N Hendricks Annie at Halstead Party
Woody Smeck
Kelly Martin
Annie was one of the sweetest and most pleasant colleagues I've ever worked with. She was my go-to for fire weather help and was often my sidekick at the Weather Partner meetings in Hanford. Besides being a good person, she was very dedicated to her job and always there to help. Anytime I needed her she was always available by phone and ready to as...
N Hendricks Annie always laughed at the joke..."Stand up Annie!" no matter how many times someone said it. Annie thought it was hilarious that folks thought she was Native American - seriously? Annie thought it funny that folks would confuse her for Jenny. Really? Sense of humor? Outstanding. Sarcasm? All in. Smarts? Yep. She could solve any problem. Voice of Reason? Totally..though sometimes it was under her breath... Chocolate? Especially at long meetings. Lots of dogs? Ruff ruff! Favorite tequila? Just for sipping please. Lots of food at her place for weary travelers? For sure. An extra large TV for viewing the games? Of course you can come over! Baseball? You bet! An amazing special lady who will be missed and remembered fondly by everyone who knew her.
Rachel Mazur Love you.
Annie saw my eyes popping out at the immense grapefruit on her table. " Dan you can have it, help yourself, she said. One of so many stories of a warm heart, good friend, and maker of memories. Thank you Annie, RIP. Dan Abbe
When I learned that Annie had passed away, I began reflecting on the fabulous SEKI team and the amazing Annie. I was stunned to realized it has been 20 years since I had the privilege of working at SEKI. Fortunately, during the intervening years, my path crossed with Annie’s a few times. It was if I had left yesterday and it was always a treat...
Woody Smeck
Annie was my supervisor for the last 8 years. I knew Annie well for the 4 previous years. This news is still very raw, but between the tears I’ll take a stab at what Annie meant to me and what I’ll miss the most. I’m going to miss watching Annie ride up on her little scooter, trudging up the most non-compliant ADA accessible stairs to her office w...
Nancy Hendricks World's best bartender
Years ago, a group of us were taking a CPR train-the-trainer class in the Ash Mountain conference room. Annie was passing by and decided to pop in and further our education. She showed us all her pacemaker scar and taught us what we needed to know if she were one of our patients. She was open and generous with her knowledge. No matter the subjec...
The memories of Annie's joy, kindness, fortitude, and passion for the wilderness she helped protect will long endure in the SEKI community and beyond.
Annie has always been such an important part of our park and our community. When I was (pouting and) getting ready to leave the parks after finishing my first season, she reassured me. "They always come back," she said. People who love this place often come back. I came back, but left again, and again she told me, "They always come back." I did, ...
Once a year a small group of us (who knew and loved Peggy Williams) would gather (mostly) at Annie's house to honor Peggy's memory. Even though it had been several years since Peggy passed we would gather each year, to remember. It was a heartfelt and special moment to salute our friend with Tequila shots and laughter, and Annie made sure we took t...
I’m so thankful that Annie’s every present smile will continue to shine. Her contagious spirit and warmth is still felt all these years later as I reflect back on so many fond memories and how she touched us all.
When I worked in Three Rivers, everyone confused us. To everyone else all they saw was a short ethnic female. I didn't mind because Annie was such a dynamic personality. We always laughed at the people that made that mistake. Many times I've wished I'd chosen to live my life in Three Rivers, it was always good to visit and see Annie and friends....
For those of us who love SEKI as more than tree and canyon parks but also as cave parks, Annie's passing is a blow. She was a consummate scientist with warm and authentic hospitality toward the cave research community, and will not easily be replaced.
Linda Mazzu Okay here goes…. My friend Annie… I chose to post this perhaps slightly irreverent photo from way back when because it highlights in my mind what Annie did best… make each of us feel special, cherished and loved. More on that photo later… Here’s a few other memories that are making me smile through the tears…. I met Annie in 1982 when a group of us lived in the Lodgepole tent cabins. None of us seemed to mind we had only a wood stove to cook on, our fireside gatherings in the evening were epic. As we transitioned down to Ash Mountain, Annie became the instigator and close friend to one and all. I remember Annie skiing; she was always a better skier than me, better than all of us. We always posed in our very best REI stances during ski trips. We also would do our best ‘science’ poses for visitors driving by in Giant Forest; looking seriously down at a clip board and pointing with purpose at some non-existent photo point. Then there was Annie playing pranks – she scared me repeatedly with a dead snake that kept showing up in my in box, back pack etc… she once scared the heck out of me with, believe it or not, a tiny spark throwing windup toy (long story…). This photo captured an amazing thing about Annie. She really knew how to celebrate her friends. After 7 years at SEKI, I left for another post in DC, no less. Annie, after laughing hysterically about such a move (and every job I took after that including my current post caused raucous, hysterical laughter between us…) promptly put together a wonderful celebration. Most touching and my fondest memory from that time, was that within days of me leaving, Annie actually stole my car while I was at work, drove it to Fresno and had a cassette tape deck installed, pretty high tech for the time. She was the last person to say goodbye and many of you probably know what is coming next, she handed me a mixed tape. I have so many mixed tapes from Annie (that’s why I still have a Walkman). The first song was the Grateful Dead’s Touch of Gray. She made me start it as I drove away, both of us with tears in our eyes. What a memory, Annie doing what she did best, being the kindest, most generous of friends. While I moved away from SEKI, Annie remained my touchstone. Over the years, I came back again and again, and it always Annie, there with a place to crash, always waking up before me to make coffee and breakfast. We are also so heartbroken; there’s a huge hole in my heart right now, but as Jerry Garcia says in Touch of Gray… “WE will get by, WE will Survive”. We must, for Annie. Because she would kick our butts otherwise.
Annie, you were a push over. I remember asking you if you would hold this fluffy pup that I had just rescued while I went into a shop in Three Rivers. I waited in there just long enough for you to fall in love with Buddy. Always a smiling face. RIP, ANNIE. Hope you and Buddy are roaming the trails together.
I’m so glad our paths crossed. I remember your cheerful smiling face and your love and devotion for the Parks. You made the world a better place in many ways.
Whenever Annie would see me at Ash Mountain with a new Lodgepole Ranger, she knew that the odds were that I would have a stethoscope with me and that I was probably going to ask her if the Ranger/EMT could listen to her mechanical heart valve. She would always smile, and say yes and then tell the new Ranger/EMT about the valve and what that mea...
Sue Schwarz So many great memories...so many great parties. Hard for me to imagine SEKI without our Annie. She was there when I arrived in 1983, and has been a stable fixture in our park family. Rest easy now Annie. You fought the good fight.
I want to share a moment with Annie I will never forget. Many of you knew her better and for longer than I did, but today especially I need to remember her, and honor her. I think in ways we ourselves do not always understand, each of us possesses a gift of healing that finds a home in someone when their need is great. We illuminate other people's...
I've known Annie since her first season in Sequoia-Kings Canyon, when she was on the Lodgepole engine crew and fighting with a berserk fire hose. Whenever I returned, no matter how long since we'd seen each other, she made me feel as if I'd never left. Times being what they are, with keeping inside our homes, if anyone could have put together a t...
Annie supported and mentored me both professionally and personally during my time at SEKI. Her wisdom and kindness helped me keep going. I remember being invited to her house for the first time and finding such warmth and comradery in the band of friends who regularly assembled there. She is one of my best memories of that place.
Bob Meadows So sad to hear the news. From my first cheesecake party at your house back in 1987 to our phone chats last fall you have been a wonderful friend and co-worker and even better inspiration for us all! This image from a social gathering at Lodgepole about 12 years ago epitomizes what so many of us remember about Annie. While the specifics of what she is showing us have been lost to time, Annie always found a way to teach us something new or to pique our interest in the little things that life offered. We will miss your infectious smile and laughter. Rest in peace.
For 21 years I worked down the hall from Annie. What a gift! I'd hear her laughter in the hall. Or she'd stop by my office just for a chat. She was the first person to holler "Rainbow Alert", when it's been raining in the winter and the sun is low in the west in the afternoon. And we'd run out on the back deck to catch a rainbow forming. After she ...
Hannah Merrill I did some post grad courses at the 'School of Rock ala Annie' (class of 198*s ;-). She taught me: 1. It's okay to be yourself. She was always herself, and truly, what could be better? 2. When you curse, folks take less offensive if you kinda tilt your head and swear with a smile. 3. Mixed tapes make parties and road trips waaaay better, Annie's dance tapes - so good, driving could be dangerous. 4. Wind-up-toy races require strategy (tabletop contests require fast reflexes to catch the hopping; rolling; walking; shaking toys before they dive off the table edge). 5. Love your pets as they are (ok, so we did have the 'Save Buddy's Tail' campaign - but Annie came around to non-dog-breed conformity, and what a lovely tail Buddy had ... i dunno, i might of reminder her of that once or twice). 6. Work is important, but play is essential - especially if it involves snow! 7. When attending a prescribed burn, it is educational to heat things up - like your lunch for example - on the fire and see what happens (always the scientist). 8. You know more than you think, and if you don't know, you can figure it out ... you can even do some research and educate your Stanford docs about your heart condition and advocate for yourself at ginormous teaching hospital. 9. Cheese cake is good; Parties are better; Cheese Cake Parties with booze and a zillion friends and acquaintances - the best! 10. Why walk when you can fly, for example: if offered a helicopter ride out of the backcountry to attend Annie's cheese cake party, TAKE IT! New lesson - when you live your best life, everyone around you benefits - she had such a big heart, she needed two. I am a forever grateful pupil, with still much to learn ... The picture is of a paperweight Annie gave me. She brought it back from Hawaii - the symbol stand for friends ... what a friend she's been to us all.
Memories from the older days, mixed doubles volleyball (the best partner ever), Friday Afternoon Club, and stopping by the Research office and "consulting" about air quality monitoring just to see her smile. Even in 1981, Annie was the best thing about working at Ash Mountain. What will they do without her? Rest in peace, my special friend, yours w...
My favorite memory of Annie is her smile. She had such a warm beautiful smile. I also liked her stories about how she confused people by what she looked like. People got her race and ethnicity wrong and would ask her what she is. I’ve had that happen a few times myself so maybe that is why I so distinctly remember her telling me about it. Annie ma...
Liz van Mantgem Annie, you were such a strong and inspiring person. Thank you so much. This happy photo (with me and Carolyn, who turns 14 in May!) is after one of your many, many, many wonderful Aloha Friday parties.
Danielle Shaffer Annie once told me that she sat on Tunnel Rock as a young adult. She took the scenery in and thought to herself, “I could see myself working here.” That was before spending almost 40 years dedicated to this beautiful park. Thank you for spreading your vast knowledge of this amazing landscape.
Kelly Martin
I've been thinking of Annie and missing her tremendously. The week after her passing, I told one of our coworkers the news and this is a note that he wrote to me in response: "If, in this life, we are meeting the likes of Annie, then we must be making some alright choices along the way." This message really struck me. Annie was such a wonderful...
Hi all: First off, while the occasion is so, so sad, it is great to see so many familiar names and old photos. So, hi everyone, particularly Hannah Banana! Annie was my supervisor for around 16 years. And, not surprisingly, she was a great boss! Ever supportive of the weird things I wanted to do and tolerant of the weird people in my office. But, ...
I’m a member of the Annie Esperanza Fan Club. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to the area in 1998. She was a delight to be around (especially when she was fired up about something). She had this ability to bring out the best in people and to tease out skills they didn’t even know they had. She could see the big picture: Global C...
Annie was one of the first people to greet me when I started working in the regional office. We had lunch together and I felt so at home in her presence. So generous of spirit and kindness. Later she taught me how to properly put a CESU agreement together. Always well organized, easy to move along and GREAT science to benefit the sierra parks. She ...
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