Ann (Annie) Elizabeth Feves, born March 12, 1952, passed away December 4, 2023. A quiet individual who never sought the spotlight, Annie lived a life dedicated to uplifting and serving others in ways small and large. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, volunteer, and community servant, her quiet contributions touched countless lives across the state of Oregon and beyond.
Born in Prineville, OR to Robert (deceased) and Janie (deceased) Yancey, Annie was raised in the farming and ranching community of Central Oregon before moving to Salem at the age of six. A graduate of South Salem High School, Annie attended the University of Oregon where she served as a Resident Advisor and joined the Delta Delta Delta sorority. In her junior year, Annie was asked to attend the University of Oregon / Oregon State Civil War basketball game by a handsome member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Following this first date, Irwin and Annie would remain inseparable for the next five decades (she still has the spearmint gum wrapper Irwin gave her on the way to the game).
Upon graduation, Annie and Irwin moved to Portland where she pursued her passion for supporting children as a youth program coordinator. In 1980, Annie chose to transition her attention home as a full-time mom (the role she often said was the most important she ever held). While juggling two incredibly active little boys, Annie found countless hours to volunteer for local charities. Alongside Irwin, Annie was instrumental in the founding and early days of Oregon's Make A Wish chapter, even hosting wishes in her home. She helped purchase, wrap, and deliver hundreds of gifts to children at Doernbecher Children's Hospital every Christmas and served on the board of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center.
When her sons entered school full time, Annie returned to the workforce, holding roles with Creative Marketing, Oregon Graduate Institute, and Guaranteed Life. Annie would also continue her community service, providing meals and support to hundreds of homeless individuals every year as a volunteer with the Potluck in the Park lunch service as well as volunteering and then ultimately leading the "Do Something Jewish for Christmas" holiday dinner program (a partnership between Loaves and Fishes and Congregation Beth Israel).
In the early 2000's with her sons off at college, Annie again paused her service to the community to focus her attention on her family, helping care for her mother and father in their later years.
In the 2010's, great joy came once again to Annie and her family as she welcomed three grandchildren. It was also at this time that she had the opportunity to join her daughter-in-law's allergy-friendly bakery, Eena Kadeena, to help families share tradition and joy during the holiday seasons and throughout the year.
Throughout her life, Annie held a passion for music and performance, first learning the violin, and then taking to dance as a teenager and college student. A standout performer with the South Salem Saxonettes and on the University of Oregon dance team, Annie would continue to pursue the artform into her 30's as a performer in several fundraising events produced by the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, including Kicks and Kicks on Broadway.
Though life would take her away from Prineville, one of her great joys was spending time in the high desert, camping and tending to her family's horses. She loved to host family gatherings, relishing in the blessings of motherhood and then being "Yaya" to her grandchildren. She was a gifted writer and incredible homemaker. She loved classic oldies music and the Rockettes. She loved live theatre and playing with her grandkids. She loved Games magazines and sudoku.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Annie is survived by her husband, best friend, and soul mate, Irwin, their sons Casey and Colby, daughters-in-law Natalie and Kaila, three grandchildren London, Gwennie, and Hallie, her younger sister Sara (husband Rick), sister-in-law Marlene (husband Arnold, deceased), nieces Andrea, Erika, Kelsey, and Samantha, and nephew Jake.
Abby Loichtl