Obituary for Ann Marie Cockrell
Ann Marie (Angstadt) Cockrell, 64, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in the care of Reading Hospital after a long battle with cancer. She was the loving wife of C. Wayne Cockrell.
Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Ella (Irion) Angstadt. Ann graduated from Wilson High School in 1976. She later graduated from Empire Cosmetology School.
As a lover of life and her Heavenly Father, Ann was a ray of sunshine whose concern for others’ needs was always apparent. She brightened everyone’s day, was adored by all who knew her, and in countless small ways, she made the world a better place. Her passion for her faith, nature and farm life was a thread throughout her entire life with Wayne.
Even as she enjoyed a simple life, she was well- known for her stylish and chic fashion, her flair for color and design and the edgy hairstyles and hats that she continued to wear even through her battle with cancer. An avid gardener, she was an excellent cook, preferring to use vegetables and herbs from her gardens (that were maintained both at their home and at her salon in West Lawn). For many years the gifts to her friends, family and clients included various teas, honeys and sauces that they grew and prepared on their little farm, Croakin’ Creek. She loved providing friends and clients with eggs and produce. She and Wayne were also beekeepers (The license on her yellow and black Mini Cooper -- BZZZZNB!).
At home, with Wayne, she raised chickens, sheep, goats, Edith Ann (miniature mule) and Jessie (miniature donkey). They rescued many animals over the years – toads/frogs, box turtles, snapping turtles, snakes, squirrels, mallards, raccoons and wild birds. On two occasions they rescued hawks, a number of Canada geese, and Stinky the skunk. Their barn was frequently a drop-off point for abandoned feral kittens that she adopted and raised.
Ann’s faith in Jesus was simple and a carryover from her early days in Sunday school at Hain’s Church, Wernersville, where she received the Fruit of the Spirit that she lived every single day of her life. In addition to the Golden Rule and John 3:16, Ann lived Matthew 18:3-7 and felt it was how she should conduct her life and business.
She continued growing in the Spirit through Young Life at West Lawn Methodist Church and later involvement in such ministries as Midnight Ministry and Little Acts of Love with Wayne in Reading. She was a Sunday school and youth leader at 1st Presbyterian Church in Reading (now Park Road Presbyterian Church) and participated in mission work both locally and in Ecuador.
Ann began her long career as a nail technician after seven years at Boscov’s that included retail sales and later, as an assistant buyer of children’s goods. She was a member of the “opening teams” for seven Boscov’s stores. Her early jobs, while still in high school, included kitchen and server duties at Galen Hall as well as being a weekend “farm hand” for neighbors where she learned to manage hard work, long hours and animal behavior (pigs and horses). Later, while working at Tina’s and Brenda’s salons in West Reading and Sinking Spring, she moonlighted at Rhein’s Catering. In 1999 she and Wayne opened Ann’s Hands and Feet Country Boutique in Sinking Spring, later in West Lawn. In addition to providing her clients superb nail care, her boutique carried gifts and clothing. From their salon, Ann and Wayne were vendors on weekends at garden and antique shows in Pennsylvania and in Maryland. They participated for many years in the Holiday Happenings fundraiser for the Reading Hospital Auxiliary.
As a “toucher” of hands, feet and hearts, Ann’s delicate manner always relaxed and calmed her clients. Being a superb listener, her encouragement and caring nature supported her clients through both trying and joyous times in their lives, melting away their daily pressures and stress. Her single-chair salon provided her clients with complete privacy and comfort. Covid restrictions and her diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2020 resulted in the reduction of her salon hours. But, Ann continued to work for her clients while battling her cancer for twenty-seven months, working until four days before entering the hospital for the last time.
Ann was a meek, quiet leader…a servant, neither desiring nor seeking the attention of leadership nor publicity. Always the worker bee, never the queen, her community service projects included food and clothing collections, beauty projects, children’s book collections, before- and after-school homework and meal programs. She joined with Wayne for Midnight Ministry, Little Acts of Love in Reading and fundraising for various nonprofits, including many that were championed by her clients. Ann promoted community participation while simultaneously serving meals, collecting, packing and distributing items to families and children in need in the Reading area. Anyone who enlisted Ann knew they were getting a worker, not a promoter or self-aggrandizer.
Left to treasure Ann's memory are her husband, family, friends, and clients for whom she cared and who have dearly loved her. She will be especially missed by her mother-in-law, Nema Cockrell of Wynne, Arkansas. Ann is survived by: two brothers, Paul Angstadt, husband of Maria, Exeter; and Russell Angstadt, husband of Cindy, Myerstown; nieces, Amanda and Melissa, wife of Elliott Wilson; and an aunt, Charlotte Varone of Lebanon.
Ann has returned to heaven to be with her parents; grandparents; aunts and uncles; her brother, Clark; and her father-in-law, Paul, all whom she deeply loved. She made the most of her life by loving and giving unconditionally. She was always more concerned about others than herself. She demonstrated this during the last twenty-seven months of her life when she endured much pain to prepare her friends, family, and especially her husband, Wayne, for her departure to be with her Heavenly Father.
Ann was a faithful member of Park Road Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann's memory may be offered to One-By-One Cat Rescue, PO Box 272 Temple, Pa 19560, or Mary’s Shelter, 615 Kenhorst Blvd, Reading, PA 19611.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Park Road Presbyterian Church, 1045 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610, on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Warren and Ella (Irion) Angstadt. Ann graduated from Wilson High School in 1976. She later graduated from Empire Cosmetology School.
As a lover of life and her Heavenly Father, Ann was a ray of sunshine whose concern for others’ needs was always apparent. She brightened everyone’s day, was adored by all who knew her, and in countless small ways, she made the world a better place. Her passion for her faith, nature and farm life was a thread throughout her entire life with Wayne.
Even as she enjoyed a simple life, she was well- known for her stylish and chic fashion, her flair for color and design and the edgy hairstyles and hats that she continued to wear even through her battle with cancer. An avid gardener, she was an excellent cook, preferring to use vegetables and herbs from her gardens (that were maintained both at their home and at her salon in West Lawn). For many years the gifts to her friends, family and clients included various teas, honeys and sauces that they grew and prepared on their little farm, Croakin’ Creek. She loved providing friends and clients with eggs and produce. She and Wayne were also beekeepers (The license on her yellow and black Mini Cooper -- BZZZZNB!).
At home, with Wayne, she raised chickens, sheep, goats, Edith Ann (miniature mule) and Jessie (miniature donkey). They rescued many animals over the years – toads/frogs, box turtles, snapping turtles, snakes, squirrels, mallards, raccoons and wild birds. On two occasions they rescued hawks, a number of Canada geese, and Stinky the skunk. Their barn was frequently a drop-off point for abandoned feral kittens that she adopted and raised.
Ann’s faith in Jesus was simple and a carryover from her early days in Sunday school at Hain’s Church, Wernersville, where she received the Fruit of the Spirit that she lived every single day of her life. In addition to the Golden Rule and John 3:16, Ann lived Matthew 18:3-7 and felt it was how she should conduct her life and business.
She continued growing in the Spirit through Young Life at West Lawn Methodist Church and later involvement in such ministries as Midnight Ministry and Little Acts of Love with Wayne in Reading. She was a Sunday school and youth leader at 1st Presbyterian Church in Reading (now Park Road Presbyterian Church) and participated in mission work both locally and in Ecuador.
Ann began her long career as a nail technician after seven years at Boscov’s that included retail sales and later, as an assistant buyer of children’s goods. She was a member of the “opening teams” for seven Boscov’s stores. Her early jobs, while still in high school, included kitchen and server duties at Galen Hall as well as being a weekend “farm hand” for neighbors where she learned to manage hard work, long hours and animal behavior (pigs and horses). Later, while working at Tina’s and Brenda’s salons in West Reading and Sinking Spring, she moonlighted at Rhein’s Catering. In 1999 she and Wayne opened Ann’s Hands and Feet Country Boutique in Sinking Spring, later in West Lawn. In addition to providing her clients superb nail care, her boutique carried gifts and clothing. From their salon, Ann and Wayne were vendors on weekends at garden and antique shows in Pennsylvania and in Maryland. They participated for many years in the Holiday Happenings fundraiser for the Reading Hospital Auxiliary.
As a “toucher” of hands, feet and hearts, Ann’s delicate manner always relaxed and calmed her clients. Being a superb listener, her encouragement and caring nature supported her clients through both trying and joyous times in their lives, melting away their daily pressures and stress. Her single-chair salon provided her clients with complete privacy and comfort. Covid restrictions and her diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2020 resulted in the reduction of her salon hours. But, Ann continued to work for her clients while battling her cancer for twenty-seven months, working until four days before entering the hospital for the last time.
Ann was a meek, quiet leader…a servant, neither desiring nor seeking the attention of leadership nor publicity. Always the worker bee, never the queen, her community service projects included food and clothing collections, beauty projects, children’s book collections, before- and after-school homework and meal programs. She joined with Wayne for Midnight Ministry, Little Acts of Love in Reading and fundraising for various nonprofits, including many that were championed by her clients. Ann promoted community participation while simultaneously serving meals, collecting, packing and distributing items to families and children in need in the Reading area. Anyone who enlisted Ann knew they were getting a worker, not a promoter or self-aggrandizer.
Left to treasure Ann's memory are her husband, family, friends, and clients for whom she cared and who have dearly loved her. She will be especially missed by her mother-in-law, Nema Cockrell of Wynne, Arkansas. Ann is survived by: two brothers, Paul Angstadt, husband of Maria, Exeter; and Russell Angstadt, husband of Cindy, Myerstown; nieces, Amanda and Melissa, wife of Elliott Wilson; and an aunt, Charlotte Varone of Lebanon.
Ann has returned to heaven to be with her parents; grandparents; aunts and uncles; her brother, Clark; and her father-in-law, Paul, all whom she deeply loved. She made the most of her life by loving and giving unconditionally. She was always more concerned about others than herself. She demonstrated this during the last twenty-seven months of her life when she endured much pain to prepare her friends, family, and especially her husband, Wayne, for her departure to be with her Heavenly Father.
Ann was a faithful member of Park Road Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann's memory may be offered to One-By-One Cat Rescue, PO Box 272 Temple, Pa 19560, or Mary’s Shelter, 615 Kenhorst Blvd, Reading, PA 19611.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Park Road Presbyterian Church, 1045 N. Park Road, Wyomissing, PA 19610, on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.