the courage of ann weathers

---

Ann Weathers courageously fought seven separate occurrences of breast cancer over a 27-year span. She was first diagnosed in 1991 at age 39. Eight years later, on her third instance, doctors gave her the news that she had only months to live. What did Ann do? She came home and threw a party. She defied the grave predictions and those remaining months turned into 18 more years.

Ann fought her cancer with both traditional and non-traditional methods. She endured multiple surgeries (lumpectomies and mastectomies), chemo and radiation. Ann believed that taking care of herself physically, mentally and spiritually, would enable her body to fend off the cancer and lessen the impact of any prescribed medical treatments. 

She prepared meals with her health in mind. Most days began with a custom organic smoothie designed to build up her immune system. She did her best to avoid sugar. Occasionally, she would sneak in a little dark chocolate and she would treat herself to a cheeseburger after her bi-monthly chemo treatments (2017). 

Ann exercised daily. She walked, hiked, played competitive tennis, and did yoga.

She took care of herself spiritually. She was a regular at Bible study and church. She also learned and practiced the art of meditation. 

Ann battled cancer so she could live to enjoy her passions of travel, music, dancing, competitive tennis, fashion, the outdoors, and Georgia Tech football. She loved people and was fiercely loyal to her friends. She always asked about others before speaking of her own issues. She survived the death of her only child. Her faith was the bedrock of her foundation. She had the most infectious smile and heartiest laugh – ever.

“Some saw her outer beauty and made judgments. They didn’t know her inner beauty. She was no “Betty Buckhead” (prima donna). She was tough, a warrior who refused to quit, no matter how many times they told her she just had a short time to live.”

-- Pastor M. Wilbanks

In 2015, at age 63, Ann would be diagnosed with triple negative metastatic breast cancer. She would fight fiercely for another 18 months. To those who knew her, she never looked sick. She didn’t complain or feel sorry for herself. Ann lived, fought, and died with dignity, grace and elegance. She is loved by so many and will always be a shining example of living with cancer.

For the last 14 months of her life, Ann could not speak above a whisper after losing her voice from a paralyzed vocal chord. Her generous bequest to breast cancer research speaks loudly to Ann's determination to help find a cure and gives her a continuing voice in winning the battle against breast cancer. Her memory lives on in the hearts of everyone she touched and loved and will also live on in the Elizabeth Ann Weathers Breast Cancer Research Fund.