It is with great sadness that we share that Anna Wells passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018. She was struck by a truck while riding her bicycle on Saturday evening, June 23 and was sustained on life support awaiting surgery for organ donation. (news article) She was 18 years old.
Anna had a very quick wit, a sly smile and loved people. She was a proud graduate of Project Patch and was days away from celebrating her second anniversary of graduating and returning home. She came to Patch as a very scared, angry, and sad little girl and left as a healthy, strong, and maturing young woman. She would be the first to tell you that she was not an easy client. She wanted other people to change but overtime began to see her need to change and desire to have a rich and full life. She used her time at Project Patch to face many personal challenges and learn to live despite her anxiety and depression. She became a good friend and mentor to many. She thought deeply about things and loved to sit and talk and learn.
Her growth after leaving Project Patch continued and her relationship with her mom blossomed. Anna continued to develop her strong work ethic and connections with other people.
Anna had made a committment to become an organ donor. Her passing will continue to impact many people for generations to come.
Tributes and memories will be placed below the pictures. (Click HERE)
Anna at her 18th birthdayAnna at Project PatchAnna Mom Brenda and Aunt Robyn completing The Family ExperienceSaying goodbyeFamily celebrating Annas two year anniversary of graduating from Project Patch on June 26 2018 the day after Anna passed away She was working at Tropical Smoothie for the summer and everyone had her recommended drink the Watermelon Mojito
A tribute from Rob Tarver, MSW, Anna’s Therapist at Project Patch.
I was asked to write a short snippet about Anna, and I can’t promise that it will be short. Instead of starting with what was, I’ll start with who Anna became. Anna was one of the brightest, insightful, and carefree girl that I have ever had the privilege to get to know. I will always remember Anna as being the pinnacle of success of overcoming labels. Her already witty personality blossomed in the time that I spent with her, and continued into her becoming an adult. The day I said goodbye to Anna, she was steadfast in who she was, and who she wanted to become. She took that drive and applied it in her life and found great success. I also had the privilege of knowing her mother Brenda, and her Aunt Robyn. Watching this family come together over time warms my heart to this day. Although she was on the other side of the country, when I was still at Project Patch, I had the opportunity to talk to her about her life on more than one occasion.
When I met Anna, she was a broken, angry individual. She was a girl with a lot of hurt, and came with a family seeking answers. Over time, a lot of trust building, and a lot of conversation, we were able to find out that Anna had more compounding issues in her life than we initially understood. At this point is where many girls would choose to give up, or avoid the issues all together. The miraculous thing about Anna was that she took these issues and faced them head on. The most wholesome moment that I’ve had with Anna was presenting her with these issues, she took a short pause, and essentially asked “ok, how do we fix this?” I remember that day like the back of my hand. She took what others would call improbable to overcome, and hit the ground running. With more time, relationship building, communication skills, and critical thinking, Anna blossomed. My favorite memories of Anna were sitting on a swinging bench, talking about her favorite bands and books and laughing with her.
My heart broke when I heard the news of her passing. I honestly had a hard time believing what news what I had received from Brenda. To speak to more of the powerful character that Anna had, I learned that she was an organ donor. I’m still in the stage where it stings to hear of this life that was taken too soon. I’ve been praying and will continue to pray for Anna’s family, friends, and close loved ones. I wish that I had more words to express my sympathy without being angry. To quote John Green in A Fault In Our Stars (Anna’s obsession when I came to know her):
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
I take solace in what John wrote in Revelation 21:3-4:
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
A tribute from Teliesha Batuik, MSW, Therapist at Project Patch, and Raft Guide
This girl was the first intake I ever saw at Patch. While she wasn’t my client I still feel the loss of this girl! Anna had so much life in her! She was so funny and fully owned who she was.
One thing I will always remember is how much she loved the band One Direction. I was taking some of the girls rafting and giving the safety talk. One part includes the words “one direction.” After this was said I looked at Anna and saw her smirk and how hard she was trying to resist breaking out into song and completely derailing the talk. Every time I give the rafting safety talk I can’t help but remember that moment and smile inside.
Rest In Peace, Anna. I look forward to seeing you again someday!
A tribute from Karen Fisher, Former Girls’ Dorm Staff at Project Patch
I am blessed to have known Anna. She was a special girl and I am truly saddened by her loss. It was awesome to watch her blossom while at Project Patch. I’d like to share a memory of a time Anna and I sat next to each other at a mealtime at Patch. We were all just getting seated and as one of the other girls approached the table, Anna invited her to,”Shit down” — she was jokingly trying to say, “Sit down” with a lisp. Anna looked at me wondering if she was in deep trouble for her “bad” language, but all I could do was laugh! My sympathies go out to her family.
Remembering Anna Wells
It is with great sadness that we share that Anna Wells passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018. She was struck by a truck while riding her bicycle on Saturday evening, June 23 and was sustained on life support awaiting surgery for organ donation. (news article) She was 18 years old.
Anna had a very quick wit, a sly smile and loved people. She was a proud graduate of Project Patch and was days away from celebrating her second anniversary of graduating and returning home. She came to Patch as a very scared, angry, and sad little girl and left as a healthy, strong, and maturing young woman. She would be the first to tell you that she was not an easy client. She wanted other people to change but overtime began to see her need to change and desire to have a rich and full life. She used her time at Project Patch to face many personal challenges and learn to live despite her anxiety and depression. She became a good friend and mentor to many. She thought deeply about things and loved to sit and talk and learn.
Her growth after leaving Project Patch continued and her relationship with her mom blossomed. Anna continued to develop her strong work ethic and connections with other people.
Anna had made a committment to become an organ donor. Her passing will continue to impact many people for generations to come.
Funeral Information:
Viewing: Saturday, June 30 from 5-7 PM at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home (Obituary and funeral information)
Service: Monday, July 2 – 11 AM (Central Time) – Emanuel Enid Church – 2505 W. Owen K Garriot Rd, Enid, OK 73703
The service will be live-streamed at emmanuelenid.org – Click “Watch Live”
Anna’s family has requested that donations be made to Project Patch in memory of Anna. You can give online or call us at 360.690.8495.
Tributes and memories will be placed below the pictures. (Click HERE)
A tribute from Rob Tarver, MSW, Anna’s Therapist at Project Patch.
I was asked to write a short snippet about Anna, and I can’t promise that it will be short. Instead of starting with what was, I’ll start with who Anna became. Anna was one of the brightest, insightful, and carefree girl that I have ever had the privilege to get to know. I will always remember Anna as being the pinnacle of success of overcoming labels. Her already witty personality blossomed in the time that I spent with her, and continued into her becoming an adult. The day I said goodbye to Anna, she was steadfast in who she was, and who she wanted to become. She took that drive and applied it in her life and found great success. I also had the privilege of knowing her mother Brenda, and her Aunt Robyn. Watching this family come together over time warms my heart to this day. Although she was on the other side of the country, when I was still at Project Patch, I had the opportunity to talk to her about her life on more than one occasion.
When I met Anna, she was a broken, angry individual. She was a girl with a lot of hurt, and came with a family seeking answers. Over time, a lot of trust building, and a lot of conversation, we were able to find out that Anna had more compounding issues in her life than we initially understood. At this point is where many girls would choose to give up, or avoid the issues all together. The miraculous thing about Anna was that she took these issues and faced them head on. The most wholesome moment that I’ve had with Anna was presenting her with these issues, she took a short pause, and essentially asked “ok, how do we fix this?” I remember that day like the back of my hand. She took what others would call improbable to overcome, and hit the ground running. With more time, relationship building, communication skills, and critical thinking, Anna blossomed. My favorite memories of Anna were sitting on a swinging bench, talking about her favorite bands and books and laughing with her.
My heart broke when I heard the news of her passing. I honestly had a hard time believing what news what I had received from Brenda. To speak to more of the powerful character that Anna had, I learned that she was an organ donor. I’m still in the stage where it stings to hear of this life that was taken too soon. I’ve been praying and will continue to pray for Anna’s family, friends, and close loved ones. I wish that I had more words to express my sympathy without being angry. To quote John Green in A Fault In Our Stars (Anna’s obsession when I came to know her):
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
I take solace in what John wrote in Revelation 21:3-4:
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
A tribute from Teliesha Batuik, MSW, Therapist at Project Patch, and Raft Guide
This girl was the first intake I ever saw at Patch. While she wasn’t my client I still feel the loss of this girl! Anna had so much life in her! She was so funny and fully owned who she was.
One thing I will always remember is how much she loved the band One Direction. I was taking some of the girls rafting and giving the safety talk. One part includes the words “one direction.” After this was said I looked at Anna and saw her smirk and how hard she was trying to resist breaking out into song and completely derailing the talk. Every time I give the rafting safety talk I can’t help but remember that moment and smile inside.
Rest In Peace, Anna. I look forward to seeing you again someday!
A tribute from Karen Fisher, Former Girls’ Dorm Staff at Project Patch
I am blessed to have known Anna. She was a special girl and I am truly saddened by her loss. It was awesome to watch her blossom while at Project Patch. I’d like to share a memory of a time Anna and I sat next to each other at a mealtime at Patch. We were all just getting seated and as one of the other girls approached the table, Anna invited her to,”Shit down” — she was jokingly trying to say, “Sit down” with a lisp. Anna looked at me wondering if she was in deep trouble for her “bad” language, but all I could do was laugh! My sympathies go out to her family.
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