Anne-Marie Bedell

Anne-Marie Bedell December 10, 1943 - January 26, 2015 Anne-Marie Bedell, formerly of St. Croix, USVI, died peacefully, and uncharacteristically quietly, January 26, 2015 on a beautiful morning in St. Augustine, Florida. Her daughter Susanne, who greatly assisted her through a difficult last year, was at her side. Anne-Marie was born and raised in Denmark. In her early teens, her independence pronounced itself and she began what would be a lifetime of travel and exploration. Her adventures began in Europe, though within a few years found her in America, where she would raise her family. Her American story began in Brookline, MA, would take her to Denver, CO, Boise, ID, Keene, NH and Hendersonville, NC. She proudly received her degree from Keene State College and was very excited the day she became a naturalized American. After visiting a friend on St. Croix in 1990, Anne-Marie moved to the Virgin Islands where she would spend most of the next 25 years. In between were many trips to Denmark and Germany, as well as numerous other countries in Europe and the Caribbean. Anne-Marie was direct, feisty, stubborn and usually opinionated, yet was beloved and made life-long friendships every stop along her way. Her spirit was infectious and brought life to whatever room she entered. She found great pleasure and proudly maintained her European heritage during her years of involvement with German Club and Friends of Denmark. Her brave and adventuresome spirit took its form in sky-diving, a year at a Danish Folk school, sailing adventures in the Caribbean, backpacking to 10,000 feet with her sons (after flying from sea level), kayaking, whitewater rafting - it seemed there was nothing she feared! After raising her family she would spend most of her career in various retail business positions where her ability to connect with people was a clear asset. On St. Croix, Anne-Marie proudly worked and expanded Closet to Closet, a clothing consignment store, where she nurtured and cared for her patrons, as well as cherished lasting friendships with her co-workers and many patrons. Anne-Marie's compassion was put to good use for many years as an advocate for the Women's Coalition and later, as a proud mother to some rescue animals. Anne-Marie's dynamic and unmistakable personality will be dearly missed by her friends and family who have been fortunate to have her blow into their lives. She was deeply proud of her family, friends and her heritage - she was a Dane, an American and a Cruzan. Anne-Marie was preceded in death by her parents Borge and Annelise Bjorklund, brothers Claus and Niels. She is survived by daughter Susanne Whittier of St. Augustine, FL, husband Paul, children Brandon and Annelise; son Mikael Bedell, wife Cheryl Bracht, daughters Mettalise and Nancy of Cascade, ID; son Peter Bedell, wife Lindsey, daughters, Tatum and Harper, dog Fenway, of Big Sky, MT; brother Lars and sister Ulla of Denmark; and numerous family and friends in Demark, St. Croix and around the world. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2015 at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Ott officiating. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.