Anne Lehn

Anne Marie Smith Lehn, a loving mother and grandmother, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Martin Smith, Sr., and Stella Potter on March 27, 1947. She died at home surrounded by family on Sunday, December 11, 2023, of complications from vascular dementia. From an early age, Anne Marie loved music. She was always proud to be among the first cohort of teenage dancers on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” when it was stationed in her hometown. Dancing on “Bandstand,” she would often say, was a highlight of her life, and she loved discovering old clips of herself on YouTube as technology made it possible to do so in more recent years. She also found purpose and fellowship in church choirs and ensembles for as long as she was able to sing. Anne Marie was a devoted homemaker who loved gardening, especially planting roses. An avid cook, she was famous in the family for her spaghetti and homemade gravy (not sauce!). Anne Marie also loved watching old movies with her family and listening to the music of her youth. Sometimes, she would tell stories about how she saw Barbra Streisand on Broadway in the original production of “Funny Girl” or how she shook Judy Garland’s hand when seeing her perform in New York. Her face lit up when retelling these stories and they have created indelible memories within her family, who miss her dearly. Anne Marie deeply valued education and sought to ensure her own children and grandchildren had better opportunities than she had. She was proud to see both of her daughters graduate from high school and her oldest go on to earn a doctorate in communication. She is survived by her husband Walter J. Lehn of Greer, SC; daughters Melody Lehn of Sewanee, TN and Leah Gibson of Greer, SC; grandson, Adam Kyle Gibson, Jr. of Greer, SC; sister, Angela Smith of Newtown Square, PA; and brother, Martin Smith, Jr. of Feasterville, PA. Anne Marie is preceded in death by her beloved father, Martin E. Smith, Sr., mother, Stella Potter, stepmother, Inez Smith, sister, Dolores J. Balkham, and brother Michael Smith. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, at The Wood Mortuary conducted by Dr. Keith Kelly. Entombment will be private. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 14, 2023, at The Wood Mortuary. The family is at their respective homes. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 123 W. Antrim Dr., Greenville, SC 29607. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Anne Lehn

March 27, 1947 - December 11, 2023