When visiting The Serenity Garden, if you step on the large stones leading away from the memorial brick plaza, and begin to travel toward the South River, you will soon find yourself on Ann Marie’s Path.  As the path winds down the slope, you may notice the recent addition of dainty, white foam flowers, lush green ferns, and the striking foliage of several clumps of the Solomon’s Seal plant.  Peeking through the dappled shade are also new rhododendrons and redbud trees

In April 2024, garden volunteers planted approximately 90 new plants to update Ann Marie’s Path. Who was Ann Marie and why is her path here?

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1947. At age 8 she went to boarding school at the Convent of Notre Dame, 120 miles from home, traveling by train by herself. She played college field hockey in Johannesburg, and married Neven Matthews in 1970. They had six daughters.

Ann-Marie was not in favor of the apartheid policies in 1987 and the family moved to Waynesboro, Virginia to start a small business. She became a US citizen in 2000. She loved nature and creating beautiful landscapes. Her enthusiasm for whatever she was involved with was infectious.

She loved the Serenity Garden and spent many days at the Ridgeview pool officiating at swim meets. The Path down to the South River is a perfect memorial for Ann-Marie.