Anne Janet Henzl

Anne Janet Henzl, 80, passed on April 25, 2025, in Salem, Oregon, surrounded by family. She was born on November 10, 1944 in San Francisco. She moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1975 where she made her home, moving to Salem in 2021 to live with her daughter’s family.

She has too many accomplishments to count. She earned the honor of being valedictorian of her large San Francisco high school but declined it because her shyness prevented her from giving the speech. She earned her associates degree from Yavapai College. She retired from the Yavapai County Assessor’s office after many years of service as an appraiser. Coworkers adored and respected her, frequently going to her with their difficult questions. Some became beloved lifelong friends. She so enjoyed going to lunch and craft shows with them. She played the guitar and piano. While living in Iceland in her 20s, the locals thought she was one of their own with her blonde hair and fluent Icelandic. One of her proudest achievements was being awarded a 50-year bronze medal from Joslin Diabetes Center for thriving for at least a half a century with insulin-dependent diabetes, which took tremendous effort on her part.

My mother read to me, went clogging with me, helped me with my homework, and walked with me around the courthouse plaza on the Fourth of July and during art shows. She laughed with me, cried with me, and loved me. She was kind and gentle to all, giving grace for shortcomings, and encouraged me to do likewise. She was fierce as well, defending and supporting the rights of others. She loved animals and they sensed it. One of my cats quickly adopted her when she came to live with us. She allows the rest of us to pet her again, now that Mom is gone.

She is survived by her daughter Amity, son-in-law Alex, grandsons Nate and Graham, nephew Scott Bass, his wife Cynthia Rossi, and their son Colin, as well as her previous husband Perry Haddon and his wife Judy. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo C. Henzl Jr., her parents James Donald and Eva Janet Isbell, and her sister Margaret Bass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to American Diabetes Association at https://diy-diabetes.donordrive.com/campaigns/Anne-Henzl-Memorial or the Alzheimer’s Association.