Annabelle “Ann” Black

Annabelle “Ann” Black, age 79, died Dec. 4 after extended illness.

She was born Aug. 13, 1924, in Seattle, to Anton Strom and Bertha Hale Strom, both of whom immigrated to the United States from Norway in the first decade of the 20th century.

She was raised in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1942.

In 1943, she married Joseph L. Ferrin III, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, with whom she operated the Point Marrowstone Lighthouse for a time.

Widowed in 1947, she married Ray Nissen in 1952. Divorced in 1958, she married William L. Black II in 1966.

She worked for Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle at the Exchange Building for many years. She enjoyed a good crossword, a good mystery and a good cup while two cats snuggled in her lap and an overfed dog rested at her feet.

She is survived by her only child, Joseph L. Ferrin IV of Santa Fe, N.M.; the three children of her last husband: Cynthia Meredith Black, Kathy Meadow and William L. Black III; her brother Stan Strom of Sequim; and her sister Jean Wicks of Reading, Mass. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1987.

A memorial reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Bainbridge Commons. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PAWS of Bainbridge Island, P. O. Box 10811, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.