Anne L. Beechler, 84, of Manchester, died peacefully, Monday (January 21, 2013) at Woodlake of Tolland. Anne was born June 12, 1928 in Manchester, beloved daughter of the late Sherwood A. and Linnea E. (Bjorkman) Beechler and has been a lifelong resident of Manchester. She was a Graduate of Manchester High School, she attended the University of Connecticut, received a Bachelor's Degree and later a Master's Degree. She taught English and Mathematics at Manchester High School and later became a Guidance Counselor and retired in 1984 as Director of the Guidance Dept. Anne touched many young adults in her career by either preparing them to enter secondary education or to further their lives in a trade or even just by lending and extra ear. As a corporator of the Savings Bank of Manchester, Anne happened on a posting at the bank for and investment counselor. Having some experience in stocks and bonds, Anne applied for and was offered the position and derived great pleasure from counseling individuals seeking guidance in financial investments. Anne came in contact with the Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Manchester when her sister was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and needed skilled care. Anne kept the mission and philosophy of the Visiting Nurses alive when she accepted the position on the Manchester VNA Board of Directors where she served for many years until 1999. Anne and her fellow directors saw the growth and increased number of patients needing specialty services and when discussions took place for the merger of the Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Manchester with the Visiting Nurse and Community Care of Vernon, it was Anne who recognized the many changes and challenges taking place in the home health care arena and strongly supported the merger of the two agencies. Anne continued to serve the community as a volunteer with Meals-on-Wheels, she was always concerned that the meals arrived warm and fashioned quilted insulated mobile meal warmers, some of which continue to be used today and by arranging to have holiday bulbs delivered to Meals-on-Wheels recipients. She was also a member Emanuel Lutheran Church in Manchester. Interested in higher education, Anne served on the Manchester Scholarship Foundation Board, she was a member of PEO, an international organization interested in philanthropic educational endeavors. Anne was also a corporator of ECHN, a member of the Manchester Historical Society, the Community Child Guidance Clinic and Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Woman Educators. Anne is survived by several cousins, Richard Alley and his wife Mary Anne of Manchester, Jack Reid and his wife Debbie of Hebron, Marilyn Eastwood and her husband Randy of Manchester, Carl Bjorkman and his wife Rosemary of Bluffton, SC and formerly of Bolton, Sharon Robertson of Florida; and other extended family. Other survivors include three special friends, Carol Comforti of Vernon, Joanne Sargent and her husband Wes of Bolton and numerous other close friends and neighbors. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her sister Avis Beechler Smith. Anne's family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to the nurses and staff at Woodlake of Tolland for the wonderful care provided during her time there. 

Funeral services will be held Thursday Jan. 24, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Watkins Funeral Home, 142 East Center St., Manchester. Burial will be in the East Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Manchester Scholarship Fund, 20 Hartford Rd., Manchester, CT. 06040 or to the Manchester Historical Society, 106 Hartford Rd., Manchester, CT, 06040 or to Woodlake at Tolland, c/o ECHN Foundation, 71 Haynes St., Manchester, CT, 06040 or to the Visiting Nurse and Health Services Inc., 8 Keynote Dr., Vernon, CT. 06066. To sign the online register book go to www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.