Anne Sterner

Anne Gray Sterner, left us 3 months before her 75th birthday. She lived in the Ocean Acres section of Manahawkin, NJ. She also resided in Surf City where she had her toes in the ocean and a book in her hand.

She was born on August 1, 1947 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She is predeceased by her parents, Reba (nee Hough) and Ralph Gray. Anne is survived by her brothers, R. William Gray (Marilyn), and David Gray (Margaret), her sons, Jason Sterner (Brenda), and Andrew Sterner, and her beloved grandson, Matthew, who called her Gigi. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Lauren (Josh Hutto), Rebecca Gray (Daniel White), Peter Gray, and Alicia Gray, her 2 great-nieces and 2 great-nephews, as well as her many friends and her best friend Pat, who was devoted to her care and well-being and her partner to many adventures.

Anne attended Williamsport High School, class of 1965.  She was a graduate of Penn State University, class of 1969 and continued her education at Trenton State College (CNJ), obtaining a degree in Early Childhood Education. She later moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi with her sons where she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with her PhD in Child Psychology.

She was a member of the Penn State choral program which was founded in 1888. They traveled to the Pittsburgh Symphony to perform and the conductor stated in a newspaper review that they were the best choral group he had ever heard.

She was a dedicated educator, beginning as an elementary teacher on Long Beach Island. She retired after serving in the Barnegat School District as a Child Psychologist.

Anne was a painter of many genres. She belonged to the Pine Shores Art Association. She was a master of quilting, smocking, crewel, hook rugs, needle point, knitting, crocheting, and cross stitch. She often photographed and then reproduced it as a painting. She shared these talents with gifts to family and friends.

Anne was an avid Maj Jong player and often traveled to Atlantic City for tournaments. She loved people and socializing. She won them with her wit, conversation and smile. She did charitable works, most notably at St. Francis Community Center on Long Beach Island. She helped with the Food Pantry, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Back to School projects. She loved the Festival of the Sea event held annually at St. Francis.

Friday nights were dinner, miniature golf and ice cream, and a walk to the top of the hill to see the moon glistening in the curl of the waves. Her love of fishing took her on many trips out of the inlet where she would take pictures of Old Barney.

Anne followed in the footsteps of her father. Ralph was the World Series Director of Little League Baseball in Williamsport. She and her brothers worked at the food stand and assisted in preparing LaMade Stadium for the games. She played a wicked, competitive game of softball on the Gateway Women’s Team. S he leaves a footprint of sharing, loving, creativity, sarcasm, dry humor and thoughtfulness. Who will speak Donald Duck to all the kiddies she passed in her journey’s?

A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 1pm to 3pm with a blessing service at 2:30pm at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her memory to the St. Francis of Assisi Food Bank, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008.