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Ana Wade
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You may want to call it destiny or not, but some people are
where they are today having never imagined they would ever be there. Some
say it is fate, some say it is will power and determination. Whatever it
may be, this week's personality came to San Pedro looking for something
very special but found much more than she had bargained for - Ms. Ana
Wade.
Ana was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala on December
21st, 1959 and grew up
with a single father. She completed her elementary education and three
years of high school at an all-girl Catholic school called Colegio Casa
Central. At the tender age of sixteen, Ana gave birth to her first child.
She knew that in order to survive and care for her young child she would
need to work hard. She sought employment at "Los Pops" ice cream parlor
in Guatemala City. Ana's determination to give her child a proper
upbringing encouraged her to work hard and soon she gained the trust of
her employer, Mr. Mario Tobush. Mr. Tobush valued Ana's loyalty at work
and in return paid for her to continue her schooling. She enrolled at the
Escuela Nacional de Artes Plasticos for three years majoring in arts and
crafts, specializing in ceramics. After graduation she went to work for
Marie Ann's Ceramic Shop as a teacher and after only four months was
promoted to general manager.
Now knowing the true meaning of motherhood, Ana felt
the need to meet her own mother and started an investigation to locate
her. Her findings indicated that she had family living in the Cayo
District in Belize, so she found the courage to move there. Finding out
that her mother was working in San Pedro, she frequented the island on a
regular basis. After being reunited with her mother she decided to stay
in San Pedro where she had made friends like Freddie Waight, Jim
Wade, Trish Carter, Woody Canaday and others. In time, she married Jim
Wade and together they worked at Los Renegados hotel on the northern end
of the island. Their place became a popular one, frequented by tour
guides who would take their clients there for picnics. Ana would take
care of preparing and serving the buffet for the guests. After five years
though, Ana separated from her husband and moved back to town to start
all over again.
Ana, who was no stranger to work, immediately started
making money at whatever job was available. She did housekeeping duties,
was a waitress and even did personalized shopping in the city for people
of the island. Ana says her big break came when the former owner of The
Pier Lounge, Carol Thorpe, gave her the opportunity to be a bartender.
With the help of Freddie Gonzalez, Chico Flores and Mike Campos, Ana soon
became a "pro". After working at The Pier for three years, she moved on
to the Purple Parrot Bar at Ramon's Village. It was there she met her
current "better half", Jim Hanna. Three years later Jim purchased The
Pier Lounge and Ana returned to work there as the administrator. Today
she is the owner of The Pier Lounge, still a popular party spot for many
locals and visitors. Ana's never-ending challenge of success has gotten
her where she is today.
Ana supports San Pedro for she has chosen it to be her
home town, in every way possible. She is a member of the San Pedro
Police/Citizens Committee, the South-End Neighborhood Watch and has
donated her time and money to many fundraisers and town functions. Ana
told the San Pedro Sun, "I feel that I
am a very fortunate person. Coming from Guatemala, I have found the peace
and tranquility I was looking for here in San Pedro and would not change
it for anything. Everywhere I go, I am greeted with a friendly smile or
hello; this makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world. I have
been embraced by this community and I appreciate it wholeheartedly."
Ana came to Belize and San Pedro over eighteen years
ago. She found what she was looking for: a family, friendship and a place
to call home. Ana reciprocates that love every time she is given the
opportunity. She is a true friend, a great businesswoman and dedicated to
Our Community.
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