Gladys Lenore Anvick

Gladys Lenore Anvick graduated to heaven on January 24, 2023. She passed knowing that she was in her home surrounded by her loving family. Mother to us all, Lenore was a woman of exceptional grace, style, and character.

Born to Harry and Gladys Riegel on July 20, 1930 in Shamokin, PA, Lenore enjoyed riding bicycles and playing basketball with her brother, Harry, and her cousins. The family eventually moved to Ontario, California where she attended Chaffey High School. Upon graduation, she enrolled at UCLA where she would become president of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and forge friendships that would last a lifetime.

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Wattenbarger, and together, they had two very blessed children, Don and Jan, who grew up on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. An artist in her own right, Lenore later worked as a middle-school art teacher until Robert was transferred to work in Massachusetts.

While living in Massachusetts, Lenore became immersed in the history of the area and enjoyed giving visiting friends well-informed guided tours of New England's historical sites. She grew to love antiques and used them to decorate her lovely home with exceptional artistry. She returned to college once again to earn a Master's Degree in Education & Administration from Fitchburg State College.

When the children had reached adulthood, she and Robert amicably divorced, and Lenore began an exciting new passage in her life when she met and married Theodore E. Anvick, a renowned structural engineer, in 1979 at the Wayfarers Chapel on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Soon after Lenore and Ted married, they made the decision to relocate to Ted's family property on Anvick Road in Arcata to be near his family. Lenore's children soon followed suit and joined them in Arcata to work for Ted's structural engineering firm, Anvick Engineering.

Lenore and Ted loved family life, and believed in honoring family by spending time together, frequently hosting gatherings for friends and family at the Anvick home. Lenore's skill as a hostess and coordinator of these events was unsurpassed.

They lovingly cared for their elderly mothers into the last years of their lives. Both were active in the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods, and in local civic and community organizations which Lenore continued to support after Ted's passing in 2016.

Lenore's kind heart and benevolent spirit will be remembered by many. She exemplified what it means to live a Christian life and touched all whom she met with her heartfelt generosity and thoughtfulness. Family, friends, and strangers who quickly became friends, all basked in the warm light of her kindness. Her easy and welcoming way continues to serve as inspiration for us all to be our best selves. We are forever honored and grateful to have been a part of her life and she will be missed every day.

Lenore is survived by her loving children, Donald Wattenbarger (Lina Carro) and Janet Ware (Robert); her loving stepchildren Deborah Kearns; Keith Anvick (Diane); Scott Anvick (Janet); Lynne Anvick; Victor Anvick (Pat); her loving grandchildren: Sarah; Joshua; Isaac; Abigail; Caleb; Keith; Kate; 13 great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, William Greenwood (Marty Carlson); her former husband, Robert Wattenbarger, and a large community of friends.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Ted; her parents Gladys and Harry Riegel; her brother Harry; her sister-in-law Grace Greenwood.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at Oceanview Cemetery where she will be laid to rest. To honor Lenore, please donate to Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods, 1645 Fischer Ave. McKinleyville CA 95519.