Annie was welcomed into the world on 14th November 1926 to parents Andrew and Annie in Camden Street, Southwick. When her father went to register the birth, he got to the registry office, couldn’t recall what they had agreed to call her, so registered her as Annie after her mother. Annie often used to recall this story with great glee.

Two house moves followed, both of which meant relocating in Southwick, first to Houghton Street, then to Clockwell Street. Who was to know how these moves of around 300 yards would influence Annie's whole life.  

It was at this time,  Annie started to attend Clockwell Street Methodist Church, joining the Sunday School at the age of three. Annie's first but far from last involvement in the church. When Clockwell Street church closed, Annie attended the Church on the Green and joined the guides. 

At the age of 16, Annie found herself running the Guide company rather than letting it close as the Guide leader was evacuated. Annie went on to become Guide Commissioner, firstly at Grindon, then at Roker eventually taking on the responsibility for the whole of North Sunderland; then Annie became President for North Durham County Guides. During her time in Guiding, Annie was introduced to and had tea with Princess Margaret at the opening of Sunderland Civic Centre. Annie must have made a good impression as an invite to a garden party at Buckingham Palace with the Queen in attendance followed.

Back to Clockwell Street; Annie attended West Southwick Infants' school, followed by High Southwick Juniors.  Annie loved the schools, but not all the pupils due to teasing about having to wear very thick lensed glasses. Annie would only wear them within the classroom and never outside.  It was at this time that Annie decided she wanted to be a teacher to try and stop this sort of behaviour.  Hard work and study led to an 11+ pass which meant she was selected to attend Bede Grammar School.

During Annie's time at Bede, war was declared. Annie wasn’t evacuated to the country and part-time schooling continued in various houses around Sunderland.  This eventually returned to school premises. The war not only affected school life, but it also affected College Education. Those pupils  who wished to become a teacher transferred to Langham Towers to start their training when they reached the age of 17. Had the entry age remained at 18, people would have been called up to the war effort instead of being permitted to follow the education road.

After qualifying, Annie's first teaching position in 1945 at the ripe old age of 19 was at her old Infant school, West Southwick. Promotion followed to the brand new Redhouse Infants School in 1954 when Annie was appointed Deputy Head; the same year, Annie decided to leave Southwick and move to Seaburn. Annie purchased a house for the family. On the weekend of the move Annie's mother passed away and never got to see the new house

Annie's first headship followed six years later, when, at the age of 34 she was appointed head at Redby Infants. This made Annie the youngest ever headteacher to be appointed in Sunderland, a record which still stands.

When Seaburn Dene opened in October 1969 Annie was appointed Head of the Junior & Infant schools; even more responsibility was followed at a later date when a nursery was also added to the school. Annie ably assisted by her trusted Deputy Head and staff took this all in her stride, and after a 41 year teaching career retired in summer 1986. Annie only returned to the school on one occasion, when invited to the 50th anniversary. On her return she was more than happy at the way the foundations she had laid had flourished and developed. 

Retirement for most people usually means slowing down.  Not for Annie though, she developed the urge to travel accompanied by her life-long friend Eveline. Their first and probably most notable adventure took them not just for a weekend away; it took them to Australia for five months, taking two weeks to get there via Singapore. Malaysia, etc. Oh and on the way back let’s do another two weeks of taking in Hong Kong, Burma, etc.

Other lengthy holidays followed with more trips around the globe to China, Israel, Canada and all over Europe. Annie really enjoyed these trips, especially integrating with other cultures.

On a personal basis, I will never tire of hearing about Annie's midwifery skills; for those who don’t know, Annie was present at,  and assisted in the delivery of me into this world. Although Annie would have said, "it’s not necessary pet," I was honoured along with others to have the privilege of being present when Annie left for pastures new. 

Everyone will have their own memories of Annie, which they will no doubt carry forward forever, whether it be her independence, wicked sense of humour, realism of her status and ability to do things for herself. All the traits which went into making the remarkable Annie Sanderson.