Ann Marie “Annie” Sargent, born on September 19, 1956, in Milford, Massachusetts, passed away on August 29, 2026, in Killeen, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Annie lived a life marked by faith, laughter, and an adventurous spirit that never seemed to sit still for long. She was the kind of Christian woman who loved Jesus with her whole heart and somehow managed to make everyone around her smile while doing it. Her life was a beautiful testimony of courage, generosity, and joy, and she carried herself with the kind of spirit that made ordinary days feel a little brighter.

She graduated from Nipmuc High School in Mendon, Massachusetts, in 1974 and later earned an Associate’s degree as a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant from Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Massachusetts. She worked her way through college as a Veterinary Technician, a job she deeply loved. Annie had a soft spot for animals of every kind, and it was said, with only slight exaggeration, that if a stray or abandoned animal appeared anywhere nearby, it had already been adopted by Annie before the day was over. Her dining room in those years became the famous “animal room,” a title that suited her just fine and reflected both her compassion and her sense of humor.

Later in life, Annie found tremendous purpose and joy as a nanny in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where she helped raise two amazing young women. She was incredibly proud of them, and she poured her heart into loving and guiding them. That role reflected one of her greatest gifts, which was her ability to nurture others with patience, warmth, and a steady sense of humor that could lighten even the hardest day. She was adventurous, courageous, and spirited, and she lived in a way that encouraged others to be a little braver too.

Annie loved being outside in all weather and in every season. Hiking and camping were among her greatest passions; she also loved fishing, road trips, and the thrill of the open road. She had an unbeatable sense of adventure and a zest for life that inspired everyone who knew her. She was the sort of person who could look at a long drive, a windy trail, or a chilly campsite and see not inconvenience, but possibility. She truly believed there was no such thing as bad weather, only another chance to laugh and keep going.

Her faith was central to her life. Ann Marie was deeply devoted to God, and her love for the Lord was recognized by everyone who knew her. She lived her Christianity not only in words, but in the way she treated people, with kindness, compassion, and a generous heart. She was generous to a fault, and she brought laughter and joy to everyone she met. If heaven has a sense of humor, Annie has surely already noticed it and made a friend of it.

She is survived by her daughter, Danielle de Medeiros, with whom she lived and who cared for her with deep love and devotion. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Brogan of Mendon, Massachusetts; her cousin, Stephen Dexter of Blackstone, Massachusetts; and beloved nieces and nephews. She is further survived by many dear friends who were truly her chosen family, including Diane Shockley of Ocala, Florida; Donna Martineau of Smithfield, Rhode Island; Joanne Shanley of Milford, Massachusetts; and many more whose lives were touched by her kindness and her unforgettable personality.

A quote that seems to fit Annie’s spirit comes from the beloved comedian Phyllis Diller, who said, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Annie spent her life proving that to be true. She had a smile, a laugh, and a presence that could set things straight in the best possible way, even when life itself was anything but straight.

Though Alzheimer’s disease took much from her, it could not take away the love she gave, the faith she lived, or the joy she shared. Annie’s life was a gift, and her memory will remain a blessing to all who knew her. She will be remembered always as adventurous, courageous, and spirited: a woman of faith with a heart large enough to hold people, animals, and an entire room full of love.