Ann Charles

Ann Charles was a journalist and author, UN Bureau Chief for Baltic Review, UN press correspondent and travel and culture reporter, born in New York City, to her beloved Lithuanian American parents Anna Zikaras and Victor Seader.

Ann passed away peacefully and unexpectedly during her sleep in the early morning hours of April 14, 2020 at her Manhattan home at the age of 81. She is survived by her only child, Charles Cusumano, of New York; her sister Loretta Siotka of Maryland; and her brother Victor Seader of Nevada.

Ann is already deeply missed by her wide circle of family, friends and colleagues from all corners of the world who fondly remember Ann as an “angel”—always willing to help anyone—and who in her inimitable, gentle way positively impacted the personal and professional lives and careers of many she knew with warmth, generosity, kindness and mentorship.

It was Ann’s creative flair for writing that first led her into the world of beauty and fashion in her early twenties, first as a young syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune, then a decade later, as public relations director for l’Oreal. In the 1980’s she was editor in chief of some 25 consumer newsstand magazines and publications focused on the latest trends in hair, beauty and fashion. Additionally, Ann was well known for her pioneering work promoting multiple high-profile special interest African American beauty magazines, festivals and international hair and fashion events that highlighted women of color of all ethnicities and nationalities.

By 1988, Ann’s love of travel and photography, and her passion and keen interest in her Lithuanian heritage and ancestry, led her to begin covering the United Nations for the Baltic Times. She reported extensively on news related to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and the Baltic struggle for political autonomy on the world stage. As the first Lithuanian journalist ever registered at the UN, she eagerly covered events related to Baltic independence and Lithuania's admission to the UN in 1991.

In particular, Ann was devoted to efforts to ensure human rights and the protection of minorities in the Baltic region and around the world, including the protection of press freedom in former Soviet territories.

At the time of her death, Ann—or Onute, as her Lithuanian friends called her—was the proud recipient of the Silver Medal of Merit from Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania, an honor that was presented to her by the Lithuanian consul general in New York and one that Ann cherished.

Ann’s family, friends and colleagues will always have the memories of her lilting laughter, beaming smile and delight in simple pleasures.

When restrictions on public gatherings are safely lifted in NY, a memorial will be planned to celebrate Ann’s life at or nearby UN headquarters. For those wishing to reconnect with some of Ann’s previous work, we suggest that you visit Baltic-Review.com where you can read some of Ann’s recent articles and learn more about how she informed all those interested in what she always described as the beauty of the Baltics.

In lieu of donations or flowers, Ann’s family invites you to share a memory or recollection of Ann on the memories pages that follow.