Anna Wagner

Anna C Harris Wagner of Waldwick, NJ, formerly of Wyckoff, NJ, born on July 11, 1937, in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Richard Harris and Elizabeth Kerr Harris, passed away at age 85 on May 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving daughters. Ann was a tireless public servant for people in need in Paterson NJ, first at Eva’s Kitchen and then co-founder and director of Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children. She became the first Christian Zen Minister in the Zen Garland Order, Sensei Spiritual Director at Christian Zen, and then as Founder of Living Presence Sangha. Ann was a member and Co-Director of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Lay Associates. She had a deep commitment to spiritual ecology, and served on the Board of Waterspirit, an environmental center in Elberon, NJ.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Betty Thompson and Mary Blanche Harris, her son Michael Wagner, and her beloved husband Ronald Wagner. She is survived by her daughters, Lisa Wagner and her husband Jason Holley of Sierra Madre, CA, Rachel Whiteman and her husband Russell of Wyckoff, NJ, and Jennifer Wagner, and her husband Nico Schweizer of Garrison, NY, and daughter-in-law Maria Wagner of Glen Gardner, NJ; grandchildren, Emily Goodwin and her husband Andrew, Anna Whiteman, Claire Limon and her husband Josh, Colin and Austin Wagner, Rose Whiteman, Ella Schweizer, Mavis Holley, Emil and Carlotta Schweizer; and great-grandchildren, Moriah, Josie, Elias, and Lucas.

Those who wish may donate in Ann’s memory to Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children, 59 Mill Street, Paterson, NJ 07501 (on memo line, Michael Wagner Academy) www.oasisnj.org.

We say goodbye to our beautiful mother and guide, and a life well lived.