Ann Claire Wilson

San Luis Obispo, California - Ann Claire Wilson (Smith), member of the Fresno and San Luis Obispo communities, walked into the arms of Jesus on March 2, 2026 at the age of 72.

Ann was born on March 29, 1953 in Fresno, California to Robert and Claire Smith, the second of three children. Ann attended Baird Elementary, Tenaya Junior High School and Bullard High School Class of 1971. Ann went on to attend Fresno State University, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in English.

During her childhood, Ann spent time exploring Fresno with her brothers Steve and Ken, friends, and precious cousins and grandparents from both sides of her family. She loved singing in choir from an early age, riding horses and especially riding motorcycles. Ann also had a deep appreciation for all music and art, and during college had the opportunity to explore many parts of Europe.

While in college, Ann felt God’s strong tug on her heart. She found a church college group at EVFree, Fresno, and created a close group of friends. Shortly after she met someone and married, and a few years later her daughter, Kristy, was born. Ann and Kristy were close from the very beginning. At the very same church 18 years later, Ann approached a young man just back from the Army who had decided to join the choir. Curious if he was single and looking to date, asked his interest about a particular girl sitting down in the orchestra, whom he had already noticed months before, but couldn’t get to respond to his requests to talk. Ann just happened to have all of the girl’s contact info to give him, and while the verdict is still out on whether she actually stated the girl was her daughter or not, the rest is history.

For years Ann worked in administrative assistant and bookkeeping capacities, helping with her husband's business as well as other businesses. In 1997, Ann changed professions by returning to school, and obtaining her Pharmacy Technician certification. She quickly gained employment at Kaiser Permanente where she worked at both the Fresno St and First St pharmacies. Ann loved what she did and made many friends along the way. After seven years, she moved to Crescent City and lived there for a couple of years to try something new. Ann briefly moved back to Fresno while figuring out her next adventure, then decided to move to King City, California followed by San Luis Obispo where she has resided for the last 17 years. She fell in love with the area and found a home with the people at Arroyo Grande United Methodist Church. Seven years after moving to San Luis Obispo, Ann met her dear husband at a dinner with friends, and was married a few months later.

Ann adored her grandchildren, and encouraged, supported and poured as much energy and love into them as she could. She was always up for a trip to the park, Disneyland, the aquarium, a walk around the block, roller skating, swim lessons, the zoo, practicing their makeup skills on her, a stroll through Target with an Icee or simply curled up on the couch to watch a movie.

A strong believer in God, Ann was never bashful about her faith, especially when in discussions with fellow patients and medical personnel during her 10+ year fight with Leukemia. She tried every possible avenue to fight the disease, acknowledging God’s goodness no matter the outcome, and attempted to share that hope with others as well.

Ann is survived by her husband, Jim Wilson; daughter, Kristy Aston and husband Dennis; daughter, Heather Millenaar; daughter, Tiffany Kodama and husband Quincy ; grandchildren Faith, Paige, Caleb and Grace Aston; Weston and Maggie Millenaar; Hudson Kodama ; cousins, sisters and brothers “in love”, as well as nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Smith; mother, Claire Highfill; brothers Steve Smith and Ken Smith, and son Gabriel David Willems.