Ann Louise Hand

Ann Hand was a marvel at teaching music. She was inspiring, encouraging, and persuasive, especially with music and young children. She could turn a simple tune into an irresistible game by clapping, skipping, singing, and laughing. Before her students had a chance to think music was out of their reach or interest, they were being successful. The reluctant student from the back of the room, with crossed arms and pouting face, was handed the drum and often ended up leading the march. Ann taught rhythm, pitch, and timing, but mostly, she taught courage to try, accepting mistakes and enjoyment of success.

“Mrs. Hand” taught elementary music in the Bend, Oregon schools, mostly at Buckingham, for 28 years. She was all about involving each child in creating and performing music. Her step-by-step music skills started and developed quickly. Soon, students played for each other and taught their own unique “songs.” The classroom was filled with marimbas, bells, and drums. Most noon recesses were filled with students looking for a place to belong, to explore. Ann’s unique skills and countless hours of teaching led many of her students to life-long musical enjoyment and successful careers in the music field.

Ann was involved in the United Methodist Church her entire life--in Burbank, California where she was born, and then in Bend, Oregon, and later, Walla Walla, Washington. Her dad’s devotion to paying for her piano lessons enabled her to accompany Sunday school classes, choirs, and congregational gatherings from her early years into adulthood. If her dad was in the room while she was playing, you often heard his voice from the audience, “I paid for those lessons.”

The Church in Bend was especially blessed with Ann’s musical talents. She organized and led the praise band at the Bend Methodist Church in Bend for several years and played with the praise band at the Walla Walla Methodist Church after she moved there in 2018.

In all of these activities, Ann’s sense of humor and enjoyment of others shined through the sparkle in her eyes and her warm smile. She lived the last two years of her life at Regency at the Park, and even with her gradual decline in memory and mobility, her spirit lifted others and improved lives.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Flora Ann Wood, and sisters, Ruth Bradley and Carol Wood.

She is survived by her wife, Ellen Glenn of Walla Walla; sons, Matt Hand of Bend OR, and Paul Hand (Airelle) of Abilene TX; sister, Mary Wood of Portland OR; former husband, Tim Hand (Sue) of Redmond OR.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM, both at Pioneer United Methodist Church, 209 E Birch St, Walla Walla, WA and Caldera High School, 60925 SE 15th St, Bend, OR 97702. The service may also be viewed online at http://hihprod.com/annhand.

Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Homeless Alliance or Christian Aid Center through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.