Ann C. Paine Perham 1933-2026

By Paso Robles Press · Thu Jun 18 2026

Ann Cameron Paine Perham passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, just weeks after celebrating her 93rd birthday. True to her spirited nature, Ann remained vibrant and active until her very last days—winning a bocce ball tournament on her birthday and cheering on her beloved Giants at a baseball game on Mother’s Day, just two days before her passing.

Born in Pasadena, California, on April 26, 1933, Ann grew up in Altadena as a tomboy who preferred playing football with the neighborhood boys over playing with dolls. She was also a musician, accomplished in both the piano and the cello. Following the passing of her father, George Raymond Paine, in 1945, Ann and her mother, Kathryn Buck Paine, relocated to Burlingame. Ann graduated from Burlingame High School before attending U.C. Berkeley. At U.C. Berkeley, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta. To celebrate her college graduation, her mother surprised her with a life-changing trip to Hawaii aboard the S.S. Lurline cruise ship—a memory Ann cherished forever.

It was at U.C. Berkeley that Ann met the love of her life, George Sheldon Perham. For Ann, it was love at first sight. George was quite the cowboy and rancher on his family's Los Altos property (later Rancho San Antonio). Ann often joked that she knew she wanted to marry him because he looked exactly like the "Marlboro Man”, and he could dance…and Ann loved to dance!

The couple wed on June 4, 1955, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in San Mateo, California. They settled in Los Altos to raise their four children: Sally, Heidi, Shel and Jan. Ann was a devoted mother, actively serving in the PTA and as a scout leader.

The greatest joy of Ann and George’s life together was their tight-knit family, which grew to include 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. The Perham family gathered with friends regularly for joyful, boisterous backyard barbecues, pool time and volleyball lasting for hours and filled with laughter and storytelling. Generations of memories were made during cattle-branding round-ups and holidays on the Perham Ranch, summer vacations at Pinecrest with the Shoemaker cousins, and ski trips to Tahoe with Bob and Lois Adams and their family at their shared Speilhus cabin. Ann and George loved the outdoors and went on many hiking and rafting trips with their dear friends. Ann and George’s generous hearts also extended globally. In 1975, she and George welcomed Martin Wikborg, a foreign exchange student from Norway, into their home, who permanently became another "son/brother" in the family.

In 2000, Ann and George embarked on a beautiful and adventurous new chapter, leaving Los Altos and moving to Paso Robles. Atop a hill with an expansive, breathtaking view, they built their dream home and established Voladores Vineyards, the vineyard of the soaring birds. Together, they became successful grape growers, growing five varietals of red grapes and eventually earning the prestigious title of Growers of the Year for Justin Winery, one of the top winemakers in the area. They were extremely close to the family that worked their vineyard for almost 20 years, and were supporters of farmworkers through the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation.

Ever the welcoming hosts, they also opened Ann & George’s Bed & Breakfast and welcomed guests into their home. Ann and George shared the duties of preparing and serving gourmet breakfasts, opening their doors and hearts to guests from forty different countries around the world.

In 2024, Ann and George moved to Byron Park, a senior living community where, now in their 90s, they had a very active life in retirement. Ann made many friends there, playing bridge daily, doing pool aerobics and exercise classes, visiting museums almost weekly, driving to do daily errands, and visiting families throughout the Bay Area. Ann will be missed by her friends and the staff at Byron Park.

Ann’s legacy of love, energy, and community lives on through her children and their spouses, Sally Chaves (Mario), Heidi Mooney (Mark), Sheldon Perham (Donna), and Janet Dolliver (Tom) and Ann’s beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and dear friend to many. Her zest for life will be deeply missed and forever celebrated by all who knew her.

If you wish to donate to a nonprofit in Ann’s memory, please consider either of these two organizations dear to her heart. The ALS Association at ALS.org or The San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation at www.cfsloco.org. When donating to the latter fund, please click on the “Give Now” in the upper right corner of the website and type in “vineyard”. The fund specifically for “Vineyard and Farm Workers” will appear. This fund provides support and scholarships to our California farm workers and families.