Anne Kingsley Dean

Anne Kingsley Dean, 71, of Petoskey, Michigan, passed peacefully on the 11th of April, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her children, after a courageous battle with cancer. A beloved Mother, great friend, and mentor to so many; her memory and legacy will be cherished by all who knew her. 

Born in Battle Creek, Michigan to Paul Chandler & Francis Moser Kingsley on the 13th of October, 1953. Her childhood was filled with pleasant memories of Kellogg Corn Flakes filling the air as she walked to school, of horseback riding lessons at Birchwood farms, and of relaxing summers on Lake Michigan with her parents and her brothers, Thomas and Robert. She made lifelong friendships in her childhood that endoured well into adulthood; and also in college, several more lasting friendships made along the way.

Before graduating Stephens College of Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, she enjoyed a European horseback tour through the Hungarian countryside. Afterward, pursuing her equestrian passions in Kansas City, as a trainer of dozens of young colts and fillies. 

Not soon after, she met the love of her life in Breckenridge, Colorado and after a long courtship, she and Ronald Dean became married in Battle Creek in 1981. Both originally from Michigan, spending the summers of their youth kicking about the Northern Lower peninsula, they decided to purchase property near Petoskey and began breeding and training Arabian horses; soon becoming members of the Northern Michigan Arabian Association where they would compete and showcase their beautiful Arabian horses. Through doing so, they made numerous friendships as they pursued their joint careers.

In 1986, their first child, Stephanie, was born and soon after, in 1988, Christopher was born too. Their happiness, however, was tragically shattered in 1992 when a freak accident took the life of Ron, wounding Anne, and forever altering their childrens’ futures. The three persisted together thereafter, and continued tending the horse farm. Anne, a now widowed single mother, taught her children everything she knew of equestrian responsibility and animal husbandry, guiding her children to respect and revere all life. Her many close friends, neighbors, and extended family were able to help in innumerable ways through the trials of this new reality. The Tahtinen family has been an incredible help from their first introductions; assisting, caring, and helping guide the children for decades to come.

Anne made certain her children were cared for, and never wanted for a thing. She cooked homemade meals from scratch on a regular basis, as culinary endeavors were another one of Anne’s passions; and she certainly practiced often. Whether she was preparing 100 year old Strawberry ShortCake and Cookie recipes, or dicing up veggies for Tacos; love was always a vital ingredient, of which she shared in abundance.  

As a local equestrian inspiration, having already served a vital role at the local feed store; Grulers Farm Supply; she soon became a mentor for the local youth by becoming an equestrian 4-H leader with her great friend Annie Gunderson. With their combined knowledge, they helped shape the future horse-loving youth, and have had a lasting impact on the generations hereafter .     

She and her equestrian cohorts spent time riding horses out west as well. Coming back with some interesting, albeit terrifying, stories of riding the hogs-back buttes of North Dakoda; no wider than that of the horse itself, with sheer cliffs dropping down both sides. The distant, spine tingling grating “ch-ch-ch” of rattlesnakes made the journey all the more perilous.  They found strength there, in each other and in their horses alike. 

Anne was an amazing listener and an outstanding conversationalist.  A shoulder to cry on, she was great at offering advice, or listening to the troubles of friends around her. Her smile was bold and bright, and her laughter would make any soul feel welcomed. One of a kind, her sparkling eyes were a signifier of the beautiful soul within. Cherished forever for what she shared, those who knew her are all the better for it, for she shared more than just her time, her knowledge, growth, and experience; Anne shared her endless love. 

Anne is survived by her children, Stephanie and Christopher; her two grandchildren, Zander and Elladee; her brother Bob and wife Toni Kingsley, and numerous extended family, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Ron Dean; her parents, Paul and Frances Kingsley, and her brother, Tom Kingsley. 

Donations to the family can be made to any surviving members. Funds, if desired, can go towards construction costs of finishing the art studio for Christopher, as one of Anne’s greatest desires was to see him succeed as an artist.

“Unable to perceive the shape of You, I find You all around me. Your presence fills my eyes with Your love, It humbles my heart, For You are everywhere”

-Sufi Islamic Mystical Poem-

-Hakim Sanai-

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Anne Kingsley Dean, please visit our Tree Store.