Anna “Ansy” Maria Johanna Reeves died on November 7, 2025 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Ansy is survived by her husband Ron; her children Reana Brenes (Tony) and Justin DeMaine; her mother (Billa); her sister (Marjo); her grandchildren Tyler, Hailey, and Max Brenes; her nephew (Aaron Wood), and her niece (Nicole Escarra). She is preceded in death by her father, Frank Manders (2016). 

Anna Maria - known to many as Ans, Ansy, or Ansje - was born on December 12, 1956 in Voerendaal, a small town in the Netherlands. She was born to Franciscus (Frank) and Sybilla (Billa) Manders. When she was five years old, she and her big sister Marjo were told by their parents that they were going “on vacation” to the United States of America. Little did they know that this “vacation” would actually result in a lifetime of living in the United States. 

Ans spent her first few months in Illinois before her parents made the decision to relocate to sunny southern California. There, Ans began her adjustment to life as a California girl. With her blonde hair, tan skin, and beautiful smile, she fit right in in the Golden State.

Ans was full of fun and, even from a young age, displayed a healthy dose of impishness. Ans spent some time in an all Catholic girls school, but ultimately attended a public, coed school where she was allowed to wear clothing of her own choosing (as opposed to the Catholic school girl uniform) in Carson, CA. Ans and Marjo had many adventures together during their youth. Every summer, the sisters flew back to their hometown to spend months with family, and they were especially close to their cousins Wies and Paula. 

While in high school, Ans and Marjo saw a commercial of skydivers eating a Snickers candy bar, and Ans became obsessed with the idea of doing so herself. Both Ans and Marjo developed a love for sky diving. With over 300 jumps under her belt, And counted her time spent jumping out of airplanes as one of the highlights of her life. 

During a trip to Acapulco, Ans met her first husband and shortly after became a mom to two children, Reana (born in 1981) and Justin (born in 1983). During this time, Ans discovered her love for cooking, learning family recipes and creating some of her own. She quickly became the favorite ‘caterer’ amongst her family and friends, who enjoyed her famous Italian dishes, soups and of course baked goods. Perhaps Ans’ love of baking was, in part, due to her heritage, as her maternal grandfather was the town baker for Voerendaal. Ans continued to maintain her ties to her family in the Netherlands and took both children to meet their Dutch family in 1986.  

Ans met Ron in 2003, and the two married in 2005. Over the past 22 years, they had many adventures together, traveling to islands such as Saint Martin, where Ans especially enjoyed time spent relaxing on the beach. Ans and Ron brought laughter and good cheer with them wherever they went together, and they delighted in working on projects at their home and caring for their pets. 

Ans always had a flare for the arts and relished in good design, both for her home and her closet. She loved to shop! She had great taste and thoroughly enjoyed displaying her finds, whenever possible. If she wasn’t browsing through the stores, you could find her sitting at a penny machine at the casinos, racking up membership points and collecting free doorway prizes on the way in.  

Those who knew Ansy will remember her beautiful smile, generous heart, and zest for life. She touched many lives with her love and will be deeply missed, but her light will forever shine in the hearts of those who
loved her.