Annette Jane Weigand (Tomerlin), age 80, passed away on February 18, 2017, following a long-term illness. She was born in Superior, Arizona, to Cecil and Mercia Tomerlin on May 7, 1936. Annette attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Superior and enjoyed being a drummer in the high school band. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Virgil. After graduating high school in 1954, she attended Arizona State College for one year. On April 16, 1955, Annette and Virgil were married in Superior. They moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1956 where she resided until the time of her passing. Virgil and Annette started a family shortly after moving to Flagstaff and she went back to college while raising kids and maintaining a household. In 1966, she was elected to the Northern Arizona University Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Annette then began her true passion, teaching first grade at Kinsey Elementary School. In 1972, she received her Master of Arts in Education from Northern Arizona University and continued teaching at Kinsey until she retired in 1997.

Annette touched the lives of many Kinsey Elementary School first grade students. Each child was precious, cherished, and important to her. She dedicated her life to providing an exceptional start to their education. Her charismatic and creative teaching style included "Pranky" the Christmas elf, a treehouse in the classroom, reading books to her students, and giving students milkshakes her husband, Virgil, made on special occasions. On March 31, 1996, Annette was named the Arizona Daily Sun's Teacher of the Month and featured in an article, "Gentle Firmness Marks Weigand Teaching Style".

Annette was an excellent cook, loved the holidays, big family dinners, and family time. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (John) Clayborn; sister-in-law Sherry Tomerlin; sons Timothy Weigand (Karen Andrews) and Gary Weigand Sr.; four grandchildren: Christi Weigand, Gary Weigand Jr., Nathan Weigand, Cole Lockwood; former daughter-in-law Clara (Nunez) Kelly; and many other family members, former colleagues, and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Virgil R. Weigand; her parents, Cecil and Mercia Tomerlin; brothers: John "Rip" Tomerlin, Robert "Tub" Tomerlin, and Donald Tomerlin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Bethel Baptist Church located at 3926 S. Walapai Drive in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In lieu of donations, the family respectfully requests that her former students, colleagues, and friends submit memories of Annette via email to awmemories111@gmail.com. The family would also like to sincerely thank Hospice Compassus, Abrio Care, and TJ's Assisted Living of Flagstaff for their gracious and compassionate care and assistance during Annette's journey.