Ann-Marie Fortner

Ann-Marie Virginia Thorin Fortner (Ann), 91, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, October 3, 2023. A memorial service will be held at Mount Pleasant Gardens Memory Care on December 1, 2023 at 10 am. Additionally, a private graveside service will be held later at Florida National Cemetery, in Bushnell, FL. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Ann was born November 26, 1931, in New Britain, Connecticut, daughter of the late Viktor Thorin and the late Anna Anderson Thorin. After graduating from Central Connecticut State College, she moved to West Palm Beach, FL where she built a beautiful life of love and service. Ann found her true calling as an elementary teacher, a career she pursued for over 30 years, primarily for Palm Beach County School District. She was loved and remembered by many of her former students, fellow teachers, and administrators, and her lasting impact on hundreds of those students will be felt for years to come.

In addition to her career as a teacher, loving wife, and mom to four growing daughters, Ann found time to serve Jesus as a Girl Scout Troop leader, museum volunteer, PEO member, in the churches she attended including as a Sunday School teacher, and by sharing her artistic talents. She is remembered for the way she deeply loved and cared for her family, and the overwhelming kindness she showed to so many others—personal friends, special friends of her children, elderly shut-ins, disadvantaged families, and others. Her deep Christian faith was her compass and guided her actions throughout her life.

She is survived by four daughters, Lisa Fortner Turley (Jim) of Greenville, SC, Beth Fortner Tavel (Alan) of Awendaw, SC, Susan Fortner Bounds (Clancey) of Winter Park, FL, and Ellen Fortner Brown (Ray) of Charleston, SC. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Lloyd Bruce Fortner. She deeply loved her 10 grandchildren who affectionally called her “Gamma”, Olivia, Michael, Andrew, Alan Jr., Sydney, Ashlyn, Lily, Julia, Emily, and Danielle. She was adored by her entire family.

Special thanks to the many loving private caregivers and Mount Pleasant Gardens caregivers and staff who made Ann smile and feel loved as she lived out her last few years. Their care and attention allowed her to live joyfully, enjoying music, art, and activities. Additional thanks to Lutheran Hospice of the Lowcountry, who provided compassionate care for Ann during her final years.

In lieu of flowers, you can honor Ann by living out her legacy of love and compassion with a gift to Lutheran Hospice of the Lowcountry, a charity of your choice, or an act of service to remind others they are loved and not alone.