Annabel Papera

With a smile that could light up a room and provide much-needed comfort, Annabel Papera lived a life rich in family and service to others. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Annabel enjoyed the simple things in life best--family, friends, travel, and sharing her heart with others. A gift to all, Annabel will long be remembered in the hearts and lives of many.

With the rearming of US forces in the early 1940s, the strains of the Great Depression began to ease. Americans’ incomes grew, and their increased spending further fueled the economy. In 1941 the optimism of leaving the depression behind juxtaposed with the escalation of the war in Europe dominating world affairs. While Citizen Kane, Dumbo, and The Maltese Falcon drew patrons to the theater, Glenn Miller, The Andrew Sisters, and Jimmy Dorsey filled the airways. Despite the ominous winds of change blowing in from Europe, the foundation of hope and generosity our nation had firmly rooted itself in as a result of the preceding decade’s hardships could not be shaken. It was within this overwhelming feeling of fortitude, generosity, and hope that James and Dorothy Lutz of Peoria, Illinois welcomed their daughter Annabel into their hearts and home on May 8th.

The oldest of the Lutz’s five daughters Annabel grew up in Oklahoma, Missouri, and California. After graduating from high school, she pursued her Associate’s degree at Citrus Junior College. With her degree in hand, Annabel began her career as a Nursing Assistant in pediatric medicine.

While Annabel loved her work with children, she especially treasured her role as a mother and eventually as a grandmother. Nothing filled her heart more than the privilege of a child’s enthusiastic embrace and the wonder of sharing time with her family.

Annabel possessed an adventurer’s spirit and over the years traveled extensively. She took many trips to Las Vegas and Santa Barbara with her good friends, Nancy, Nina, and Lois. She sailed twice to Alaska with her husband and friends, explored England and Ireland with two of her gal pals, and traveled to New York with two of her girlfriends. Annabel enjoyed all of her travels and especially loved the Big Apple. After retirement, she and her husband purchased a 39 ½ foot motorhome and traveled the country visiting family and friends, and finding places with good salmon fishing.

When not traveling the road and waterways, Annabel loved to read. A huge fan of Science Fiction and mysteries, Annabel always had an adventure on hand. She also enjoyed doing needlepoint and many a friend and family member was gifted with her fine work over the years.

Though the world is significantly duller in the absence of Annabel’s effervescent light, the memories of her warm smile, love of people, and passion for life will long be held as precious treasure in the hearts of all who loved her. May comfort also be found in knowing that Annabel was clear in her expression of satisfaction with her life when she wholeheartedly shared, “I have had a wonderful life. I have been blessed with caring, loving sons and stepsons and two much-loved husbands Fred and Armando.”

Annabel Papera, 76, of Auburn, died Sunday, February 4, 2018, at Parkview Randallia Hospital in Fort Wayne. Annabel was born May 8, 1941, in Peoria, Ill, the daughter of the late James and Dorothy Lutz. She is survived by two sons, Jerry M. Fox of Las Vegas, NV, and Gary T. Papera of Auburn; sisters, Sande Swafford of Skiatook, OK and Linda Harris of Gordon, NE; grandsons, Thomas J. Papera and Matthew A. Papera; stepsons, Mondo L. Papera of Bella Vista, AR, Gary R. Papera of Harrah, OK, Mac Papera of Greenbrier, AR, and Terry Papera of Greenbrier, AR.She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jerry Lee Fox, Fred D. Bean and Armando L. Papera. Memorial service will be held Friday 4 p.m. with gathering two hours prior at Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services 502 N. Main Street, Auburn. Memorials are to Wounded Warrior Project or Parkview Hospice.

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