Ada Virginia Sterling Ammerman, formerly of Crisfield, Maryland and more recently of Yorktown and Newport News, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 at St. Francis Nursing Center where she had been a resident for the past several years. It was her wish that her remains be donated to the Anatomical Board of Virginia to further medical research and education.
Born on June 9, 1928 she was the daughter of the late Arlie Graham and Ada Cochrane Sterling. Ms. Ammerman was graduated from Crisfield High School as Valedictorian of her class, went on to finishing school at the Penn Hall Girls' School in Chambersburg, PA and was an alumnus of Wellesley College, Wellesley Massachusetts Class of 1950.
While working as an insurance adjustor in Boston, MA after graduation, Ms. Ammerman was photographed by and was a sample girl for Bradford Bachrach Studios where her picture hung in their window for many years in downtown Boston. She later worked for the Maryland State Department of Social Services as a caseworker from which she retired. She was an accomplished classical pianist.
In Crisfield, as a member of Immanuel United Methodist Church, Ms. Ammerman enjoyed for many years, participating with her Circle and the Eveready Sunday School Class. She was an avid bridge player and member of the Wrinkle Free Bridge Club.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Dr. James A. Sterling, Stanley C. Sterling and Joseph C. Sterling, sisters-in-law Carolyn H. Sterling and Patsy M. Sterling all of Crisfield and Judith A. Sterling of Norfolk, MA.
Ms. Ammerman is survived by her daughter, Amy Brennan (John Taylor) of Seaford, Virginia and her grandson, her pride and joy, James Brennan and his wife Hannah of Newport News. Also surviving are her eldest brother, Arlie Graham Sterling, Jr. of Norfolk, MA, sisters-in-law Ola R. Sterling and Ruth Ellen W. Sterling of Crisfield and special nieces and nephews Betsy Merklein of Manassas, VA, Arlie Sterling, Ellen Slater, Gordon Sterling of Norfolk, MA, Patricia Draper of Chestertown, MD, Laurie Sterling of Crisfield, MD, Thad Sterling of Madison, AL and their children including her Goddaughters Carrie Sterling Paden of Crisfield and Jenna Sterling Bunting of Berlin, MD


The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Francis for their expert care, compassion and patience during the past seven years.
A memorial service with a brief tribute of classical piano music by Mrs. Shirley Krause will be held at Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Virginia where Chaplain Stanley Turnbull of St. Francis Nursing Center will officiate on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m..
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be directed to the care and maintenance of St. Peter's Church in Hopewell, MD, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements handled by Amory Funeral Home.