Anne Marie Blood

Anne Marie Blood, of Casselberry, Florida passed away on January 10, 2022, following her 104th birthday. This remarkable woman affected countless people in over a century of life, and we miss her dearly.

Anne was born on January 5, 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Joseph & Maria (Deutschmann) Petschauer. She attended Holy Trinity Catholic School, and enjoyed going to church as a family. Faith remained a central focus of Anne’s heart her whole life, and she delighted in singing in the choir at St. Augustine Catholic Church with her Casselberry, Florida community.

Anne struggled with asthma as a child, so she learned to play in a different way than the other kids her age. She loved reading and learning, jigsaw puzzles, and working in the garden. She even taught herself to roller skate! She also taught herself to make clothes, knit, and crochet. And she adored their four family cats, especially Jezebel. Later in life, here in Florida, Anne and her friends created a Yahtzee game night. She continued to place flowers all around her, and she endlessly watched the butterflies and all types of birds all around them.

Growing up through the depression era, Anne learned the value of hard work. At the age of 17, she and her brother, Albert, began working to help provide for the family. She worked in the kitchen at Cleveland’s St. Luke’s Hospital for four years; and, then as a defense worker in Thompson’s Product War Plant. At the beginning of WWII, she worked a stretch of six weeks without a day off.

Later, Anne typed reports for Pinkerton’s Detective Agency. But, her most beloved career of all unfolded when she met, Hibbard Casselberry, the founder of Casselberry, Florida. Anne supported Mr. Casselberry as his Executive Secretary, and invested herself deeply in their community.

After Anne retired, she continued to value traditional, simple elegance; but, gave generously of her resources and her heart. Her legacy is rich, and her impact is felt.

She was preceded in death by her dear husband of 50 years, William Blood; parents, Joseph & Mary Petschauer; siblings, Bertha, Albert, John, Joseph, Edward, and Lawrence Petschauer; and, grandparents, Andrew & Maria Petschauer, and Mathias & Magdalena Deutschmann.

Anne is survived by her nephews, Albert & Francis Petschauer; great-niece, Monica Bennett (John); and, generations of adoring friends & neighbors.

Please join us for a Visitation on January 23 from 1-4pm with a time for Sharing of Memories at 2:30pm at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, 994 Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, Florida. A funeral mass will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Casselberry, Florida on January 24 at 11:00am, with burial to follow at All Faiths Memorial Park, Casselberry, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Anne’s name to Hospice of the Comforter. Condolences may be offered in the online guest book below.