Annette Joan Valdespino

Annette Joan Ryan Valdespino passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 27, 2026, at the age of 86.

She was born on October 25, 1939, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, to James Howard and Bertha Roselma (Knox) Ryan. The youngest of ten children, Annette (affectionately known as “Nettie”) was cherished as the family’s baby, forever their little sister.

As a teenager, she moved with her family to Tampa, Florida. There she met the love of her life, Ken Valdespino, while they were both working at Winn-Dixie. She was 21 and he was 19 when they married, beginning a partnership that would span nearly 65 years. Together, they built a life rooted in devotion, laughter, and shared adventure- living in Tampa, Jacksonville, Arlington, Greenville, and ultimately settling in West Palm Beach in 1993.

Wherever Annette went, she created connections. She had a gift for making others feel welcome, and those who knew her often said she never met a stranger. If she didn’t know someone’s name, they were lovingly known as ‘honey’ to her. Her warmth, humor, and energy filled every room she entered.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Ken; her son Kenny and his children, Bryce and Braylee; her daughter Annette (Allen), her husband Bob, and their children, Christi and Matt; as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply.

Family was the center of Annette’s life. She was a fiercely devoted daughter, sister, aunt, mother, and grandmother- protective, generous, and endlessly loving. Her dogs, Ned and Marley, held a special place in her heart and she loved them like they were her children.

Annette and Ken shared a rare and enduring love. Their marriage stood as a quiet example of loyalty, mutual respect, and joy, one that only deepened with time.

She found happiness in days at the beach, especially family summers at Amelia Island; and time spent in her beloved mountain home in Highlands, North Carolina, where she took great pride in creating a welcoming cabin for family and friends.

Annette also carried a deep pride in her Irish heritage. She delighted in reciting the poems her father had taught her as a child, passing them down through generations. She played the piano, sang with grace, and loved to dance.

More than anything, Annette will be remembered for the way she loved. She was compassionate, empathetic, and kind, with a beauty that radiated from within. Her presence leaves a space that cannot be filled, but her spirit lives on in the family she cherished, the memories she created, and the stories she’s passed down.

Annette will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.