Ann B Schminke

Ann was born in Rhinebeck, New York on July 15, 1933 near the Hudson River. Her father, Erwin Baker was the superintendent of schools in a neighboring town. Her mother, Marietta Baker, was a legal secretary for the courts. Both her mother and father were very social and active. Marietta helped with fundraisers at churches in their neighborhood and was treasurer of the Ambulance Corp. Erwin belonged to a hunting club, was a member of the golf course and loved to travel. Ann's mother always encouraged her to be independent and therefore allowed Ann to travel alone. Ann got her organizational skills from her mother and interest in education from her father. Being the only child in the family she never felt there were any disadvantages, but at times she wished she had a brother or sister to talk to.

They spent their summers on Long Island near Jones Beach on the south shore; going to baseball games with her mother. Ann never had a favorite baseball team because it never mattered to her who won. Between the ages of five and seven, Ann and her parents took care of a mansion on Long Island where she had the "run of the house." Winters were spent back in Jeffersonville, NY, a town they moved to when she was two, where she spent time sledding and tobogganing.

In high school, she was involved in debate and had many friends. She and her best friend Kathryn were usually involved in church activities or talked together after school. Ann was involved in musicals and plays, and enjoyed playing field hockey, She was the first girl to take Shop because she did not like any of the art classes that were offered. She was good student who enjoyed writing and history, and it was the teachers of these classes that influenced her most.

After high school Ann attended the University of the State of New York at Genesco, a small college near Rochester. She double majored in Library Science and Education (elementary & high school) with a minor in History. After college she taught kindergarten, third grade, and was a high school Librarian.

On July 3, 1955, Ann married Conrad Schminke. Con came into Ann's life from the Brooklyn School system in sixth grade and ended up sitting behind her. He was very bright and a good athlete. In high school they were on the varsity debate team together. They dated throughout college and married after graduation. Con's career in the US Air Force meant that they were constantly on the go, moving 23 times during their marriage. on May 12, 1964 they welcomed their son James. Ann and Con were married happily for 35 years until his death in 1991.

Ann lived and traveled many places in her life due to Con's Air Force assignments, including Germany and Holland (she loved the year-round blooming of tulips), as well as Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Kansas, and many more across the states. One of her favorite places was Colorado where she lived for eight years. She loved the beauty of the mountains and the streams. Here she worked as a volunteer with Family Services and helped military families that were in need. Ann made her final home in Ahwatukee and was very active in the community. She was the President of the Ahwatukee Women's CLub, a member of the Properties Committee for the Ahwatukee Recreation Center, Secretary of the ARC Shuffleboard Club, and President of the Retired Officers Association Auxiliary and member of the Ahwatukee Foothills Senior Association. In her spare time, Ann enjoyed needle point, weight training, she played golf, enjoyed line dancing and practiced tai chi.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Conrad, and son James. She leaves many friends to cherish her memory. The young, energetic girl from New York grew up to be a successful woman, who led an exciting life. She was generous and caring, and was never willing to give up. Even during bad times, Ann always kept a positive outlook for the future. She will be greatly missed.

Ann will be laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with her beloved Con. Services are yet to be determined; please check back for information.