Date Of Birth: April 28, 1982
Date Of Death: September 14, 2010
Anna Katherine McCullough was born April 28, 1982 to Tim and Carol (Karst) McCullough in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grew up in Noblesville, Indiana. She attended school in Noblesville, graduating with National Honors in 2000 from Noblesville High School.Anna went to the University of Wisconsin in Madison majoring in German and Psychology with a Business minor, graduating in May 2005 with honors.While in high school, she worked and payed her way to visit the Peruvian Rain Forest. She attended the University of Freiburg, in Germany her junior year in college. While there she traveled Europe extensively. Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer 3-4 weeks before graduating from college and returned to Noblesville after graduation to begin her cancer treatments. After completing her treatments in 2006, Anna became interested in jewelry design and sales and became employed at Smith’s Jewelers in Noblesville for 2 years where she was asked to design jewelry for friends. While employed at Smith’s she studied and earned Gemology and Pearl Certifications. Furthering her career in fine jewelry sales, she became employed by Hofmeister Jewelers in Indianapolis in the spring of 2008 and was sent to Las Vegas to study diamond grading.In October 2008, Anna was again diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in her spine. In the spring of 2010 cancer was found on her spinal cord nerve endings. She received treatments at IU Cancer Center, where she participated in experimental drug therapy and Riverview Hospital in Noblesville for radiation treatments. During 2009-2010 Anna traveled extensively visiting relatives and friends in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Michigan and Illinois and Cabos. Anna leaves a very loving family:Parents: Tim and Julie McCullough, Indianapolis Carol Karst-Wasson, Noblesville and Gary Wasson, IndianapolisSisters: Maggie, Holly and Laura and a brother Tom McCullough all of IndianapolisGrandparents: Gloria Hoover, Mishawaka and Robert and Frances Karst, Angola, INAunts and Uncles: Patrick and Joanne McCullough, White Pigeon, MichiganMike and Julie McCullough, Hagerstown, MD. Brad and Diane Karst, Boca Raton, Fl. Matt and Katie Karst, Denver, CO., Celia and Andy Sheets, Angola, IN.Cousins: Patrick and Tracy McCullough, Granger, IN. Ryan and Nicole McCullough, Denver, CO. Shon and Amy McCullough, Sarah McCullough, Ft. Wayne, IN.Frankie Skirvin, Scotsburg, IN. Mary Frances Blankenship, Maysville, KY. Danny Sheets, Angola, IN. Robert and Douglas Karst, Boca Raton, FL. Victoria, Kelsey and Matthew Karst, Denver, COSpecial friends: Aimee and Rich Mattes, Colby Jones, Christine Varisco, Chicago, ILSarah and Tom Connelly, Noblesville, IN. Rajesh Danala, Carmel, IN. Caleb Van Meter, Anderson, IN. Andi Kruse, Alice and Peg MacIntosh, Cicero, IN.If you were fortunate enough to have met Anna, you will never forget her and her beautiful smile.Anna became an accomplished speaker for various cancer support groups and spoke to high school students. She was asked to introduce Joan Rivers at a fund raising event of the Cancer Support Community where she helped raised funding to start a youth support group. The group was named “Anna’s Group” in her honor.Anna lived a life of example: patience, understanding, curiosity, encouragement, confidence, humor, joyfulness, generosity, and inner strength. Anna emphasized that the length of one’s life wasn’t as important as the width.Anna’s advice for coping with cancer: Ask for help, don’t lose sight of who you are and surround yourself with a positive environment.Anna belonged to the Cancer Support Community, Sharon Bassett Foundation, Young Survivors Coalition and University of Wisconsin Alumni Association of Indianapolis.At Anna’s request she was cremated. A celebration of Anna’s life will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 beginning at 2:00 pm at the Cancer Support Community Center in Indianapolis, IN.Her family will have a private service at St. Joseph Memorial Cemetery, Mishawaka, IN, October 2, 2010 followed by an open house for friends and family from 2-5:00 pm at Whispering Pine Community Room, 806 Green Pine Court (off of Hickory Rd.) Mishawaka, IN 46545
Dennis Gehlhausen says
I am Kathy Gehlhausen’s father. I met your daughter several times during her high school years. She was a good friend to my daughter. Your daughter was a warm and wonderful person. I was impressed. I am really sorry to hear of your large loss.
Kathy Gehlhausen Slaughter says
It was so hard to learn about everything Anna and your family has suffered since 2003. I was hoping to reconnect with her at the reunion, since our round of phone tag years ago never worked out. I am glad she sought and found support with the second round of cancer. I wish her doctor had listened to her when she first found the lump. I will miss knowing her warm smile and genuine spirit is out there in the world. Many of my positive memories from high school come from sharing classes with her. I still listen to the Sindicato CD every once in awhile. Anna made it possible for me to believe that I might be a “cool” person. Her enthusiasm was contagious. My thoughts are with you.
Dr Mrs Thomas Winans says
Our prayers are with all.
Kathy Farr says
Anna was a true inspiration to everyone that met her. Her positive attitude and energy was amazing. I met her through the local UW-Madison alumni chapter where she served on the board.
My deepest sympathy to her family. You should be very proud to have raised such a wonderful daughter. Her time on earth was much too short. We shall all miss her and her smiling face. Please take good care of each other and know that Anna was such a delight to all that met her and did indeed make a positive difference to those she met.
Mark and Kathleen Goepfrich says
Our heartfelt condolences to schoolmate and friend Tim and the rest of Anna’s loved ones. Tim, we were so sad to read of your daughter’s passing. Although we never met Anna, in looking at her photo and reading about her life, we know the world has lost a beautiful, intelligent and wonderful young woman.
Mark and Kathleen Goepfrich
(Kathy Gnivecki)
Cindy Goode says
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family during this difficult time. I will always remember Anna in all the plays with Courtney at Stony Creek school. They went to school together right up to graduation. She will be greatly missed by all.
Love & prayers, Cindy Goode & all of our family
Allyson Walton Magera says
I’m so sorry about your loss of beloved Anna. I love your quote, “Anna emphasized that the length of one’s life wasn’t as important as the width.” From what I’ve heard about her, she truly lived that example. May you find comfort in God during the difficult days ahead & peace knowing she is free from pain in heaven with Jesus now:)
ida wood says
Carol, Maggie and family, My prayers will continue to be with you. I will never forget the joy on Anna’s face when she first saw her beautiful earrings. Thank you the joy you gave me for being apart of a great moment in her life. Thank you so much for your e-mails. Do keep in touch with me. I Love You, Ida Wood
ida wood says
Carol, Maggie and family, My prayers will continue to be with you. I will never forget the joy on Anna’s face when she first saw her beautiful earrings. Thank you the joy you gave me for being apart of a great moment in her life. Thank you so much for your e-mails. Do keep in touch with me. I Love You, Ida Wood
Carly Stephen Brandenburg says
Our hearts goes out to Anna’s family and friends; she touched so many lives with her vibrant personality. We were fortunate to know Anna and what a wonderful person she was. We will never forget her.
Jean Muir says
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this difficult time. Anna was a special young lady and touched many lives throughout her young life. The Muir Family:
Shane, Jean, Natalie, Ross, & Stacie
John Joyce Zalas says
McCullough Family,
John and I wanted to send our deepest prayers and thoughts to you.
We respect the loss of your beautiful daughter.
Most sincerely,
John and Joyce Zalas
Deb Weirick says
Tim, I am so sorry to hear of your beautiful Anna’s death. You and your family are in my prayers.
Deb Weirick
Amber Taylor Kemper says
Although I didn’t know Anna much outside of high school, she was a sweet girl who will be truely missed. My condolences to all those who love her.
Chris Carlson says
Dear Carol (and Gary) — You are both in my thoughts and prayers during this really hard time. Although I didn’t really know Anna, I know that she brought joy into your lives and that she is missed. I hope it gives you some degree of peace and comfort to know that others are holding you in a special place with love and caring.
Best always, Chris
Dana Webster says
Please accept my deepest condolences. I know Tim professionally as we both had territories in the Kokomo area over the past few years. When I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in June, 2008, Tim was incredibly uplifting about Anna’s experiences – then he updated me on her recurrence. We saw each other on a flight in January, and Tim updated me that she was doing well. Her passing is heartbreaking for everyone, and I offer my deepest sympathies and hope the fondness of memories help pass the grief. My prayers are with you for peace and comfort while you mourn.
Sally Cotlar says
I first heard Anna speak at the Survivors Symposium meeting sponsored by the Wellness Community. She spokes eloquently and inspired everyone there. I will always remember her for her beautiful smile and her positive attitude.
Rachel Kraus says
Although I never had the pleasure of meeting Anna, she sounds like she was a very dear soul. I wish her and her family much peace. My sincerest condolences to all who know and loved her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tom Connolly Sr says
I had the pleasure of getting to know Anna through my daughter inlaw Sara Wasco Connolly. Anna was one of the sweetest people a person could ever hope to meet, always smiling never complaining and never having anything negative to say about anyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Tom & Marilyn Connolly
Jim Robinson says
Words cannot explain my sadness when Pamela advised me of Anna’s passing. Your children were such an important part of our lives as they were growing up. I am not surprised to read of her positive attitude with regard to her illness, because that was Anna. I was fortunate to have seen her just a few years ago as an adult and I know how proud you must have been in the woman she became. We will all miss her.
Pamela Robinson says
I have known Anna McCullough for as long as I can remember. We both grew up in the same neighborhood together. I remember her as always being the fun, loving girl next door. Unfortunetly, we grew apart as we got older, but I can only imagine what impressions Anna made in other people’s life. To her family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. She truely was an amazing women. I will always remember her as the older sister I never had.
Mark E Siminski says
I never saw Anna when she did not have a smile on her face. As my daughter said, she was an Angel on this earth. My prayers are with Tim and Carol and her family and I pray God wraps them in his warmth and comforts them.
Bunny Spires says
Carol and Tim,
This news is just getting to me in NC and I am in shock and find words hard to say. I remember that sweet little Blondie back at Conner Elementary that was always with a smile and a hug. I was just looking at photos last October for a family event and came across many of the kindergarten pics of her and Chris and the rest of that fabulous group. With our move back to NC in their 6th grade year I am sorry we lost touch. Heaven is truly brighter with another angel among Our Lord and Savior. God be with all of you at this time. I love the foundation you have started in her memory. She was a giving person and will continue to give…
God Bless
Bunny Spires Mother of Christopher Spires class of 2000