Ann Alison Hoover

Two years ago Ann was to be the main witness for the City against a neighbor who killed her. He used a flawed system to secure building permits for various properties and then never made repairs.

Ann was a member of the Oakcliff community organization in Oakland and had beautifully renovated a row-house and, along with the others, was trying to improve the neighborhood. Ann worked for many well-known Pgh. organizations, both nonprofit and for profit, through Direct Advantage Marketing.

CHILDREACH, INT'L., a nonprofit based in Rhode Island, advised she alone, was responsible for saving the lives of over 1500 African children.

Ann was a musician and was active in music circles and this led CHILDREACH INT'L., to establish a Memorial Fund in her name to supply musical instruments for African children. She was also active at Animal Friends helping to save abused animals and her Pittsburgh employer, Direct Advantage Marketing, established the Ann Hoover Memorial Fund there. Both funds continue to receive contributions in Ann's name.

There are no words to describe the void and loss felt not only by her family and close friends, but hundreds of other who knew Ann and what she exemplified.

Emerson's words describe Ann's life. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."