November 7, 1923 Annie Mary Toogood was born in Macleod, Alberta, Canada to her father John Stevens Toogood from Bristol, England and mother Mary Agnes Horner Toogood from Saskatchewan, Canada.
She had three brothers; Jim, Bob and Alan and three sisters each with nicknames; Florence Elizabeth (Betty), Dorothy (Jofa) and Barbara (Babs). Annie Mary the youngest of seven earned the nickname of “Babe”. She had a happy childhood on the family’s prairie farm. She attended and graduated from Macleod High School, Mt. Royal College of Alberta in 1941. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English in 1944 from Alberta University in Calgary.
She was a valued member of the work force most of her adult life. In 1947 she landed her dream job, working for Cecil Solly, the garden expert on KIRO radio in Seattle. This dream career began with typing Mr. Solley’s newspaper articles, advanced to hosting her own lectures/radio shows about house plants and flower arranging to her giant career leap of holding the assistant producer position of the first color television show in Seattle, WA. . She rearrange her name to Mary Anne instead of Annie Mary because, “it sounded more professional”. Later, she also held lead positions in marine insurance and engineering industries.
She also pursued her love of dance performing with a local folk dance group in elaborate costumes even appearing on KING 5 television. She dropped the Mary part of her name and decided to just go by “Anne”.
She was married three times: 1943, she married Ted Williams an American sailor and air ship pilot then moved from Canada to Santa Ana, CA.; naval station. Divorced 1951 Anne met Carl Nyberg in 1953, navy sailor who grew up building, designing and sailing boats on the lakes in Seattle and on Puget Sound. She became an excellent sailor and navigator herself and they ran a charter service aboard the beautiful 50’, gaff rigged sailboat “Winsome” between 1953 -1959. They married in 1955 and had two daughters. Sadly ending in divorce in 1975. September 2, 1977, she married Don Juan Koch and soon both retired. Don was a drummer for the Nile Band and his old army band so they traveled a great deal which Anne really enjoyed. They shared many happy years together until Don passed in 1994 of Alzheimer’s disease.
In 1995 she moved to Eatonville, WA. Anne joined Dogwood Garden club. She was their Treasurer then elected president and re-elected for two years. She earned many awards/ribbons for flower arrangements and service. She enjoyed tutoring at Eatonville elementary school. She joined a line dancing class/group and participated in the local 4th of July Parade demonstration of the Line Dance at age 73. She continued dancing through her seventies. She had wonderful years and dear friends in Eatonville. She chose to stay single for the remainder of her life, in her words with a wink and a smile said, “Oh men are just too much trouble anymore”.
August 3, 2017 at 9:30 PM after both of her daughters had a chance to say goodbye, she was ready to face her next journey. She was an amazingly strong woman. There will never be another like her. This lovable, talented, beautiful, quick- witted lady will be in our hearts forever.
She is survived by her daughters Gale Anne Nyberg (Roy J Zawielski) Seattle WA, Barbara Marguerite Hannah (Mark W Hannah) Ashford, WA and her many cherished nieces & nephews in Canada and Australia.
This is such condensed version of her life that a Facebook group has been set up in her honor. Mary Anne “Anne” Koch - Our Mom - Aunty Babe. Family & friends are encouraged to visit, read more about her wonderful life, and share their memories
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