Anne S. Crouse, 76, of Las Cruces and formerly of Carmel and Anderson, Indiana, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 27, 2024, while in hospice care. She is survived by her son: Dr. Charles Matthew Crouse of Las Cruces, and his wife, Teresa Enriquez Crouse; and daughter: Mary (Mollie Crouse) of Xenia, OH, and her partner, Kristy Tocknell; and her seven grandchildren. Anne is also survived by her elder sister: Mary (Mollie) Kilborne of Lutherville, MD as well as Mollie's five children/Anne's beloved nieces and nephews: Sally, Jay, Katie, George, and Michael. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Adopted at birth by George and Sarah (Thomas) Lochbehler, Anne spent her childhood in Baltimore and summers on the beaches of Maryland and Delaware with her older sister, Mollie. She met a sailor, Tom, her first husband, who she married and moved back to his home state of Indiana. Anne would live out the rest of her life in Indiana, making her annual trek to her beloved Indiana State Fair where she would celebrate two of her favorites – eating fried foods and celebrating animals of all breeds and species. Anne was especially known for her love of cats, especially her most recent feline, Trinnie, who sadly preceded Anne in death by only two months.

Anne was most proud of the work she did helping others in her lifelong profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). After graduating from Indianapolis Public Schools School of Practical Nursing in 1975, Anne began her 40+ year healthcare career first as a hospital nurse specializing in cardio-pulmonary and medical-surgical areas. She transitioned to work in Geriatrics, where she helped open and/or lead several nursing and assisted living facilities as a charge nurse or Director of Nursing (DoN) across the state of Indiana. Additionally, Anne was most proud of her work co-opening the free "The Open Door Clinic" serving Mexican farm workers in Clinton County, Indiana.

Later in life, Anne's professional experience helping others would serve her well as she was elected chairperson or representative to the resident councils for the independent and assisted living facilities for which she lived in Anderson, Indianapolis, and Carmel. From years of active participation within the politics of local and state government, Anne knew how to vocalize her opinions and was known to stand up for the rights of individuals she felt were unable to advocate for themselves.

In addition to her passions for healthcare, politics, poetry, and animals, Anne loved being on the beach. She felt most at home near or in the ocean. Fulfilling her wishes, Anne's children will return her cremains this fall to the Atlantic Ocean where she spent so many summers as a child.

Matt and Mollie would like to thank the staff at Majestic Care of Carmel and the teams at Gentiva Hospice in Indiana and Las Cruces for the amazing care and comfort provided to Anne in her final years of life.

A celebration of life will commence on Monday, August 5, 2024, at Baca's Funeral Chapel, 300 E Boutz Road, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Visitations will begin at 1:00 P.M. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 02:00 P.M. and The Funeral Liturgy, officiated by Father George, will begin at 02:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anne's honor to the Dona Ana County Humane Society at https://www.dachslc.org/.

To view the service via live stream, log on to www.bacastream.com

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com