Ann Burggraaf Davis

1973 ~ 2014

Ann Burggraaf Davis passed away on April 21, 2014, at the age of 40, in Pioneer Valley Hospital in West Valley City, Utah, after struggling for a week with very serious health problems. Her family, who loved her dearly, were gathered around her bedside at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, Del Desford Davis (married to her on June 15, 2002 and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple), her parents, Sam and Farelyn Burggraaf, three children, Jacob Allen Burggraaf, Katherine Michelle Burggraaf, and Karina Lynn Davis, and eleven brothers and sisters, Samuel David Burggraaf (wife, Susan), Robert Farrell Burggraaf (wife, Inma), John Maxwell Burggraaf (wife, Stephanie), Brian Joseph Burggraaf (wife, Carol), Paul Michael Burggraaf (wife, Dawn), Rebecca Burggraaf Carpenter (husband, Bryon), Brent Richard Burggraaf (wife, Paola), Linda Burggraaf Bown (husband, Mike), Kent Alan Burggraaf (wife, Amy), Nancy Burggraaf Bills (husband, Jade), and William James Burggraaf (wife, Stacy).  Her extended family also includes fifty nieces and nephews whom Ann dearly loved.  Ann's paternal grandfather, Maxwell Vernon Burggraaf, and his wife, Shirley, are also still living.

After five active boys with blue eyes and light hair, the Burggraaf Family was blessed with a beautiful baby girl with deep brown eyes and beautiful brown hair on December 4, 1973, in Provo, Utah. She was immediately a big hit with her five older brothers, although when her mother clothed Ann in her first dress, they were surprised and weren't sure who Ann might be.  But when Ann's birth was followed by her sister Becky's birth, all was well in the family. Ann had natural mothering instincts and was a great help with the young ones as later children were born in the family.

Ann grew up in Orem, then moved to New Canaan, Connecticut with her family, and then moved back to Salt Lake City and Sandy.  She graduated from Hillcrest High School.

Ann always had a concern for others with special needs. Whether it was her young nieces and nephews that she enjoyed planning special parties with, or visiting the senior care center next to her apartment building, she liked to visit and cheer others up.  In one of the last large apartment buildings she was living in with her husband, Dell, the apartment management canceled the weekly Bingo event in the building for the residents. Ann went and bought prizes for several weeks with her own limited income and conducted the Bingo parties herself.  She also often led Family Home evenings and game nights for the residents to help get them involved. She cared about others and wanted to be involved with them and help them, whether it was her husband, her family, her neighbors, her friends, her church, or the people in her apartment building.

Ann also loved animals.  She had her favorite cat, Bowser.  He was a beautiful, friendly companion to her. In moving from her last apartment, she could not take Bowser with her. She tried very hard to find a good home for Bowser, but she could not find one. It was a very sad day for her but she had to take Bowser to the Humane Society.  Ann frequently visited her cat at the Humane Society so that Bowser would not be lonely or discouraged and hopefully might find a good home.

Although Ann struggled with some mental illness, particularly in the later years of her life, she was a joy to her family and friends and a blessing to all who interacted with her. She is now free to continue in her joyous progression of giving and receiving love.  Ann has impacted us all for good.  We miss her.  We miss her love.  We miss her encouraging words, her unique laugh, and her smile.  But we know she is happy.

Be sure to read and see more about Ann Burggraaf Davis on her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/ann.davis.18041