Ann Mize

Ann MacInnes Mize, 75, died Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Cappella Alzheimer’s Assisted Living facility in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ann was born May 23, 1947, in Anchorage, Alaska to Kit and Charles MacInnes.  During her early years Ann enjoyed competing in dog sled races and equestrian dressage. She loved her dogs and had several during her lifetime.

She attended elementary and junior high school in Anchorage and completed her high school education in Westtown, Pennsylvania .  Ann graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Physical Education in 1969.  Upon graduation from CU Ann accepted a job teaching physical education in Broomfield, Colorado.  Ann returned to Anchorage in 1972 to accept a job teaching Physical Education at Dimond Mears Jr. Sr. High School. She coached several sports including cross-country running, cross-country skiing, tennis, and badminton, for grades 7-12.  After retiring, Ann continued coaching cross-country skiing by assisting at Alaska Pacific University with the women’s masters program.

Ann was an exemplary teacher.  She was named Secondary School Physical Education TEACHER OF THE YEAR for the State of Alaska by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education in recognition of her outstanding teaching performance and her ability to motivate youth to participate in a lifetime of physical activity.

Ann and Rob Retherford were married in 1970.  They enjoyed building their new home, as well as their Norwegian Elkhounds and Golden Retrievers,  and they had a very active life skiing, biking, hiking and traveling.

Together, with Sally Burkholder,  Ann co founded the Alaska Ski For Women, North America’s largest women-only cross-country ski event, with close to 1,000 Alaska women coming together to ski at Kincaid every year.

Ann married Dick Mize July 1, 2000.  Sharing a love for the outdoors, they lived life to the fullest, cross-country skiing, hiking, mountain biking and traveling.  Their adventures included participating in National and World Masters Cross Country Ski Championships where Ann was always in the top 3 in her class.  While competing in the 2004 World Masters Championships in Lillehammer, Norway, she won all three gold medals as well as the coveted Inga Lami framed picture.

She is survived by her husband, Dick Mize, brother, Scott MacInnes, Richelle and Scott Bloomquist, Maureen and Hauler Chambers, Kathy and Lauren Callaghan, David and Joan Laage

She was preceded in death by Kit and Charles MacInnes, Aunt Kay

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kincaid Chalet on May 23, 2023 at  5:00 pm