Ann Kubek

ANN KUBEK (nee Szymciak), age 94. Beloved wife of the late John. Loving mother of Curt Kubek and Kim Freiwald (Tom); step mother of Leigh and Paul Freiwald. Dear sister of the late Stephanie Vinicky, John, Michael and Edward Szymciak. Also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The family requests in lieu of flowers please contribute to the Ukranian Relief Fund.

Ann’s parents were immigrants from Poland and Ukraine in the early 1900s, and Ann was very proud of her heritage. The fourth born out of 5 children.  Ann outlived them all.

Ann was born in 1928, the first year of what we now call the Silent Generation, known for their loyalty, patriotism, dignity, frugality, hard work, being good neighbors, and love of family. That was Ann. This was also the era of the Roaring 20’s, a time of prohibition, jazz, flappers, the Charleston and the surging economy.

In 1929 the stock market crashed, and the great depression followed.

Ann was 11 when Germany invaded Poland, and 13 when Peral Harbor was attacked. We can only imagine the dinner table conversations Ann and the family endured.

It would have been natural for Ann, a young, pretty, Ukranian girl to be confused, angry, even bitter.

But that’s not what happened.  Ann who grew up during the depression, wanted more and decided to lie about her age and started working at a bakery at age 14.

Ann loved to dance. There was a boy she met at a picnic, who a few days later happened to be at a dance. Ann told her girlfriend that she hoped the boy would ask her to dance . . . and he did . . . and Ann and John were married for 68 years and enjoyed dancing throughout their entire marriage. Both great dancers.

Ann wanted a family more than anything.  After many difficulties in carrying babies and her first child living only a few weeks, Ann sacrificed and persevered finally having her boy and girl…the pride and joy of her life.

Even though women in the workplace were uncommon, Ann began a long and successful career at Ohio Bell Telephone and worked there for 38 years, retired then decided to go into real estate when she then finally retired again at age 77.

For Ann life was all about her family, her Church, and Food! Not a day went by without pots and pans simmering on the stove, the oven filled with delights, and the countertops stocked with bakery. Thanksgiving and Christmas in Ann’s kitchen was a week-long event.

If we had only three words to summarize Ann’s life, they would be Happy, Loving, and Kind.

Rest in peace.

 Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday June 6, 2023 Church of the Assumption, 9183 Broadview Road at 11:30 AM. Graveside services and interment will be Wednesday June 7, 2023 at 1:15 PM Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The family will receive friends AT THE CHURCH TUESDAY MORNING 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Arrangements entrusted to the A. RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS (WEST OF I-71).