In memoriam

     Ann Ball, one of America’s leading writers on the saints and Catholic culture, passed away in Houston, TX on June 8, 2008, at the age of 64. A grandmother of eight Ann was a truly prolific writer, the author of numerous books, articles, and pamphlets on saints and traditions, crafts, popular devotions and art. Ann authored and coauthored more than 20 books for the purpose of evangelization and catechesis. The most popular include The Faces of Holiness, Catholic Traditions In The Home And Classrooms: 365 Days To Celebrate A Catholic Year; How-to Book of Sacramentals: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You; The Other Faces of Mary; Holy Infant Jesus; Catholic Traditions in Cooking. Her latest publication, Crafty Catholic Kids: Great Activities for Family Fun, was released in March of this year. Her diversity of interests was the source of much inspiration among her readers. As she wrote on her website: “I was born the type of person who is curious about everything. That trait has stayed with me all my life, and I have spent many happy hours investigating all kinds of things.” She began publishing as a way to express her own love of crafts, history and especially the Catholic faith. 

     Ann Ball also dedicated her time to many other causes including the cause for canonization of the Mexican Jesuit Miguel Pro. She had completed the history of All Saints Church in Houston and was currently writing the history of the Basilian Fathers Missions. She also wrote the Basilian Missions quarterly newsletter. Consulted by CNN on several occasions Ann was an internationally well-known expert on the saints and she collaborated with hagiographers, popular writers, academic researchers and with international correspondents through the internet. 

     Ann was also a private investigator and owner of All State Guard Service. As a member of the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas, her company mainly served the Houston area since 1992.

     Ann Ervin Bolton Ball was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 13, 1944, the daughter of Ora Louise and Julian Bolton. After attending Jacksonville High School, class of 1962, she graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. A convert to Catholicism, she taught at Corpus Christi School, St. Thomas High School and Marian Christian High School.

     She is survived by her her daughter, Joanna Ball, of Houston, TX; son, Sam (& Danielle) Ball, Houston, TX; adopted son Raul Quintero of Monterrey, Mexico; her brother, Charles "Chuck" Bolton, Miami, FL; sister, Julie (& Terry) Bolton Douglas-Smith, Dallas, TX; nephew, Brett (& Linda) Douglas, Keller, TX; niece, Julianne (& Curtis) Douglas Sanford, Jacksonville, TX; grandchildren Austin Wilken, Max, Victoria, Brenden, Christian, Karolyn & Katharyn Ball, Houston, TX; Michael Quintero of Georgia; great nieces, Courtney (& Joe) Sanford Foster, Montgomery, TX; Jaci and Caylee Sanford, Jacksonville, TX; Courtney Harper, Bullard, TX; Christi, Erin, and Lauryn Bell, Keller, TX; great nephews Jeremy Sanford, Jacksonville, TX and Dalton Douglas, Bullard, TX.

     A Memorial Mass was celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 9900 Stella Link Road, Houston TX 77025, (713) 667-0497. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial donations be sent to: “Basilian Fathers Missions”, P.O. Box 708, Sugar Land, TX, 77487-0708 or Casa Juan Diego in Houston.

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