Anne Marie Stores

Anne Marie (Batson) Stores, 85, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2026. Born on August 24, 1941, in Utica, New York, Anne lived a life filled with adventure, service, faith, and unwavering love for family and friends.

Anne was the daughter of William and Helen Batson and was raised in Clark Mills, NY where she developed a lifelong passion for education and sports. An accomplished athlete, she enjoyed basketball, softball, tennis, downhill skiing, and cross-country skiing. She also cheered and played the clarinet. Her competitive spirit and enthusiasm for life remained with her throughout the years.

A dedicated educator, Anne was the first in her family to attend college at the State University of New York and eventually earned her Master's Degree in Education. She devoted much of her life to helping others learn and grow, teaching elementary and special needs students at all of her residences: Saranac Lake, NY; Syracuse, NY; Bethlehem, PA and Franklin, MA.

Her adventurous spirit led her to one of the most meaningful chapters of her life when, in her fifties, she joined the Peace Corps and spent three years in Thailand teaching English and hygiene. The experience reflected her courage, compassion, and desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Anne was first married to Mike Branon in 1964, with whom she shared three children: Meghan, Dan, and Andy. In 2000, she married Ed Stores, and together they enjoyed many happy years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Branon; her husband, Ed Stores; her parents, William and Helen Batson; and her beloved sister, Patricia (Batson) Robinson. She is survived by her brother Bill Batson, her children Meghan Branon, Dan Branon, and Andy Branon; her step-children Heidi (Stores) Dills, Eddie Stores, and Jackie (Stores) Iovieno; her 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Anne's greatest joy was her family. Even with a failing memory, she never forgot her 13 grandchildren, who referred to her as “Deeda” or “Grandma Anne.” Whether cheering from the sidelines, sitting in the stands, or celebrating accomplishments big and small, Deeda rarely missed an opportunity to support and encourage her children and grandchildren. Her love for them was boundless and unwavering.

Anne found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved reading, spending time at the beach or walks and skis in the woods, attending church every Sunday, and taking long walks with her beloved fur companion, Ollie, whom she affectionately referred to as her "fur boyfriend." Anne never met a stranger. Her warm smile, positive attitude, gentle spirit, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Her legacy is one of kindness, faith, service, resilience, and love. She taught those around her to approach life with gratitude, optimism, and an open heart.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Florida. A reception will immediately follow at the Branon family home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Anne's memory perform an act of kindness, spend time with loved ones, or support educational and community service organizations, reflecting the values she embodied throughout her remarkable life. Donations to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfdn.org in her honor would be greatly appreciated.

Though she will be deeply missed, Anne's family finds comfort in the countless lives she touched and in the enduring example she set. As Deeda would say, "Life is good!"

"Life is good!" – Anne Marie "Deeda" Stores