Ana Griebling Ekstrom

Ana (Anna) Beatrice Griebling Ekstrom passed away peacefully July 21, 2024 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born November 28, 1939 in Lexington, Ohio to Frank and Hoyland Griebling. She is preceded in death by her brother, Harry Griebling, and her partner, Debby Vaughan. She is survived by her daughter, Sarah (Dennis) Palermo of Rancho Cordova, California.

Ana lived in St. John's Episcopal Home for Girls in Plainsville, Ohio for several years until she graduated high school. She received a bachelor's degree from Ohio University (Miami) and received a Master's Degree in Sociology from Ohio State University. She earned a second Master's Degree in Counseling with a certificate in Gerontology from Lynchburg College.

During her life, Ana lived in many places, including Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Monterey and Big Sur, California. She finally ended up in central Virginia to be near her long time friends, Sandy and Steve Slack. Ana was known as Grandma Ana to Sandy and Steve's grandchildren and they were her beloved second family. In Lynchburg, she met the love of her life, Debby Vaughan. They enjoyed seven short years together until Debby's death in 2012.

Ana touched and enhanced the lives of hundreds of clients through her work as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She often commented that she felt that counseling was the work she was meant to do. In May 2023, she had "the trip of her life" with her daughter and son-in-law to Ireland, France and Italy. She was thrilled to be spending time in Europe with her daughter and son-in-law and spoke of it often.

Ana had a plethora of friends and for her 80* birthday party, she invited 80 guests, all of whom showed up. Later in life, she was a resident of Valley View Retirement Community (now Willow Ridge). There she was well loved and enjoyed regular card games of Bridge and Hand and Foot.

She was also a regular Bunco player with a group that has met for 20 years. Ana loved yard sales and almost every Saturday could be found scouring neighborhoods for bargains with her friends, Vera Klauck and Jan Gardner. Her yard sale gifts were legendary and numerous friends now have mementos from her many excursions.

Ana always felt that aging had a bad reputation and was innovative in starting a group for women age 70 and over to discuss positive aspects of aging as well as providing a support forum. The Sophia group has met for nine years and has helped participants explore aspects of aging while offering compassionate support to its members.

She will be missed by all who knew her and will be remembered for her humor, warmth, and empathy. She had way of bringing people together and making them feel special. A celebration of Ana's life will be held at a future date.

For those wishing to make a donation in Ana's honor, please consider KinderWoods at Camp-Kum-Ba-Yah, 4415 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Madison Heights is assisting the family.