1st Anniversary

Ann died one year ago today.

I have so many thoughts bouncing around, but I can’t pull them together. I came across something today that I had never seen.

It’s a profile Ann wrote for her college. To hear her “speak” brings her back to life in a way.

Everything good thing on earth is but a shadow of the real thing in heaven.

As such, this is a type of resurrection:

Stephens Profile
Class of 1978 & Friends of the Class

Name: Ann McClatchey Moore
Where are you now?
Metro area or region: Evansville, IN

Stephens Education and Beyond:
Stephens Degree and Major: BA -Radio, Television, Film
Subsequent education and training: Lots of professional development
Favorite Stephens activity: Ice Cream at the Collegian, Missouri Football games, Sailing on Stephens Lake, Sunning on the first warm day, Video projects for KWWC-TV,
Favorite Stephens residence: Pillsbury

Alpha Epsilon Rho Broadcasting Honorary 1977-1978 (seated) Julie McCallum, Laurie Tamm, Anne Ruttger (standing) Dr. George Whitehouse — Sponsor; Sue Brown, Donna Hibbitts, Julie Obderdorfer, Ann McClatchey, Sheila Dolan, Cherlyn Hampton, Janeen Bjork, Jan Shirrell, Laura Chamberlin, Joy Katzen, Brenda Bartlett
What are you doing now?

Occupation: Right now I am fighting pancreatic cancer and trying to get a Gilda’s Club started in Southern Indiana. Cancer forced me into retirement. I was working in economic development after 25 years as a television journalist.

Activities: President of the Gilda’s Club development committee, gardening, travel, reading, biking. I run a website: www.annmoore.org

What is your current household like?

Spouse, partner, significant other: Married to Randy. Randy is the anchor and managing editor of WTVW-TV, Fox 7. Randy and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

Children, other residents, pets: Three kids: Erin is 28 and works for the Chicago Tribune in Chicago. She’s also in graduate school at DePaul University. Meredith is 22 and is set to graduate Summa Cum Laude (4.0) from the Honors College at Western Kentucky with degrees in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. She is considering Law School. Andrew is 20 and left college during this, his sophomore year, to be with his mom as she battles cancer. He hopes to go back in the fall. Right now he’s working on the greens crew at Evansville Country Club. Ann just lost her beloved Shitzhu who was 17. We also have a beautiful long-haired cat named Charles Dugan (Doogie.)

What do you most like to do for fun these days?

I wake up feeling blessed each day for life. I work in youth ministry and am the Lay Leader of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. I am excited about getting out in my garden this year. We’ve had a place in the mountains of North Carolina for many, many years and love to hike, water water raft, climb mountains, and sit and enjoy God’s green earth. I love spending time with family and friends doing all kinds of stuff. I am currently taking guitar lessons…(again after about 35 years.)

If you were asked to give a short (1-2 hour) lecture or teach a full class on a topic of your choice at Stephens, what would you teach?

Short lecture: Living with Cancer, Living with Faith

A Stephens Digital Film major is going to make a film about you. What will the title of the film be?

Cancer is a Blessing

You have just been named “Woman of the Year.” What entity selected you?

PanCan (Pancreatic Cancer Network)

If you and a few classmates were going to meet somewhere for a three-day weekend, where would you like to meet, at what time of year, and what would you like to do?

We do this already…but my high school buddies…fall in the mountains of NC…this year though it was spring.

(High School buds Terri, Tim and Ann on vacation)

An alum is visiting your area. What events, places or activities would you recommend she see that would not be obvious to a visitor? What restaurant (with entrees <$20) should she select?

Evansville is the nation’s best kept secret. It is absolutely beautiful with awesome restaurants and things to see. House of Como is a real trip. Lots of people like “The Gerst Haus” for the atmosphere, cheap German Food and endless beer list. New Harmony is worth a visit for sure…it’s the site of two utopian experiments and a very lovely and spiritual place.

Among the activities in which you participated at Stephens (e.g. music, dance, theater, film, art, fashion, horseback riding, golf, creative writing, etc.), which ones have remained a major part of your life just for fun (i.e., other than as part of your career)?

I still dabble in art: watercolor and oil painting. I still love photography, film and doing video projects. I’m still considered a writer and blog at least weekly. (Editor’s note: Who knows why Ann was stricken with the disease but her high profile and background have made her an icon. A lift from one of her blogs appears at the end of this profile. JB)

What is your favorite sport or exercise activity as a participant and as a fan?
Participant: biking, hiking, kayaking,
Fan: basketball, and Colts football

You are on a panel to choose the “best” or “most interesting” items from the last few years – television programs, movies, films, plays, concerts, performances, art exhibits, CD’s, and books. Name your favorites.
TV: “The Office”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Flight of the Conchords”
Books: Lisa Sampson books, “People of the Book”, “Pillars of the Earth”, Phillip Yancy and Walt Wangerin books, Phillip Gulley books,
Music: Leeland, Casting Crowns, David Crowder, Switchfoot, Third Day, U2, Caedmon’s Call
Film: Michael Clayton, Mrs. Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Ratatouille (my very fav. Film of 2007)

A certain noteworthy photograph of you (at an earlier age) has recently come to light. Please explain.

I spent the day with Peter Jennings at ABC and sat and the end of the desk while he did World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.

Describe a favorite entrée or dessert that would be served at a meal at your home with friends.

I would make my famous carrot cake. Randy would grill his famous burgers, I would have my famous potato casserole and at least one awesome salad on the side.

Members of your family want to buy you a surprise present. What should I tell them to get you?

Some comfortable outdoor furniture for near the garden

What favorite vacation have you taken in the past? What vacation would you like to take?

Our North Carolina vacations are very meaningful. Would love to spend a week in Key West, would love to go to Ireland. I would love to spend time in Israel.

Gossip, Lies and Videotape: Details about any of the above and whatever else has been going on in your life. Or take a moment to answer a question I didn’t ask.

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest and least funded cancer. It is a new crusade of which I am now a spokesperson, although I sure didn’t plan to be one.

(Editor’s note: Here’s a link to the website Ann’s family dedicated to what they call “our dear mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend Ann Moore.” http://annmoore.org/ and what follows is a lift from one of her blogs. JB)

Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
Ann Moore’s blog on her pancreatic cancer
Posted Jul 22nd 2007 8:30AM by Patricia Mayville-Cox
Filed under: Pancreatic Cancer, Blogs
Ann Moore of Evansville, Indiana, a former television newscaster and the wife of FOX7 anchor Randy Moore, has started a new website to chronicle her experience with pancreatic cancer. Moore was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer at the age of 50 this past May, according to the Courier-Press.

From a recent post, Moore ponders that “It is hard not to ask why,”

It’s hard to do research because the information scares me. A three percent survival rate. Then there is the risk profile: 74 years old, male, smoker, overweight, fatty diet, diabetic. Well, that describes me, huh? The fact is, I don’t know why. And maybe it doesn’t matter. All I can do is look ahead.

Her husband writes about the website, which he calls a ‘labor of love’ from their daughter Erin:

Some people approach us easily. Others approach us with hesitation. And others — even though they care — just don’t know what to do or say. That’s okay. It is hard. This website allows people to interact at whatever degree they are comfortable. My prayer is that you’ll be strengthened by Ann’s strength.

The internet has its pros and cons, that is for sure, but I just love this quote by Mr. Moore. It is hard to know what to say to someone with cancer, or how to approach them, or what you can do to help. While creating a personal blog is not for everyone, websites like Ann’s and like those at CaringBridge.org, allow well wishers to send their thoughts and prayers in their own way and allow the recipients to receive them in their own way also.