Without a doubt- the most loving and devoted mother anyone could ask for. Mom was the glue that held our family together. She was the sounding board for all of  us, the giver of advise not always taken, the cheerleader in our corners, and the person we all could tell anything to without fear of losing her love or support.  She lived her life with passion. She loved hard.  We will miss her presence every minute… until we meet again Mom ❤️

Looking through a photo album I found this picture of me, my sister, Connie and my four cousins. Left to right, my sister, Connie, Ruthann, me, Linda, Anna and Donna in the front. Living so close together and close to the same age allowed us to share a wonderful, unique childhood. The memories came flooding back. They are limitless! Big family gatherings, sleepovers, communions, confirmations, trips to Kentucky, graduations, boyfriends, weddings, too many to list here.  Our situation was rare and I feel so lucky to have experienced all of it. Instead of two sisters I had six. Rest in Peace, sister, Anna.

grandma…
I know goodbyes are inevitable. That doesn’t mean I was prepared for Wednesday. You fought so hard to stay around for our family, and while I would selfishly give anything for another moment with you—I am so relieved you are at peace. Thank you for always calling me, picking up the phone, and leaving me voicemails, being up in the middle of the night so I could talk to you, organizing family get togethers, putting together family trips to botanical gardens, trips to Galena, for taking me clothes shopping and getting excited in each outfit I tried on. Thank you for showing up at those important moments in my life. Thank you for being so thoughtful in your everyday actions and to everyone you knew—your love extended so far and wide there was never a moment I felt less than. I’m going to miss you, and the matriarch you were to our family. I’ll keep looking for you, and I hope you have a great view to watch over us from Heaven Grandma 
see you later 🤍

Dearest Anna,

We certainly have shared many memories:

...running across the street yelling to each other to turn on  the radio because our favorite song was on "Summer Place"

...Taking our turtles to the park in the red wagon -
they ran away in the grass
giving a bath in scolding hot water

...going on the trains, trying to get lost

...walking for hours ...it was a different time

...playing with the kindergarten kids at lunch time
even being the substitute teachers for a week

...being very very angry with you because you told everyone that I was wearing your hand-me-down clothes.  I remember saying "At least the "Seale" smell was gone

...putting on plays in the basement on Winchester with Ruthann, Connie, Joyce and Linda

...the nightly ritual of hair

..."playing" the piano in the dining room - irritating your Mom

...our "print shop" made from the old TV guide that we hid under your dressing table.  Your Mom found it and tossed everything out because it got dust on it
                  
...telling you to respect your elders - I was two weeks older than you.

...being in your wedding

...moving to Lincoln Street and finding out that you and Jim lived across the stgreet

I guess what I am trying to say, is "THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY CHILDHOOD".

You will have have a special place in my heart.
Donna

My cousin, Anna, believed in family! She started getting us cousins together for Christmas gatherings. I lived in the suburbs growing up. My Dad would load us 5 kids up in our station wagon to go to the ‘city’ to visit Grandpa Demma and the rest of the family! As an adult, I grew closer to Anna. She would share stories, show Debby and me pictures and the rings of our Grandmother! So special. Fly high with the angels, my cousin.

Anna's passing saddens me deeply. Though she was my cousin, I considered her to be my sister, as did she consider me her brother. My memories stretch far into the past.

-- living on the second floor, just above Aunt Angie, Uncle Joe and Anna, from 1955-1971

-- going on vacation to Middlesboro KY to see her Mamaw and Papaw (my very first trip away from home)

-- spending Saturday nights watching Shock Theater together

--  Working at Hi Neighbor

-- Introducing her to her future husband Jim (who, upon my recommendation, came dressed in all black on their first date since I told him she liked greasers)

-- After Senior Prom where she got in trouble for going to Jim's lake house and not coming home with me the next day. Uncle Joe made me take him up to the house to get her.

-- the night she and Linda had too much to drink at Jerry Giba's and I told her to say she had some bad pizza and that's why she was not feeling good.

-- Coming home after a "few beers" and passing Jim and Anna on her back porch

-- Vacationing on Pine Lake in upstate NY. On that same trip, Jim (in his station wagon with Illinois plates) having to get off the highway in the Bronx near Yankee Stadium

-- Kidding her that I wore a wig and later that I had a hair transplant (Woody was in on this).

I will really miss her. She will be in my thoughts forever.

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OBITUARY

Anna Marie Schwartz

September 29, 1948 – May 22, 2024

Glueckert Funeral Home

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