Obituary for Ann Schmidt
The family of Ann Schmidt is saddened to announce her death, on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Brucelea Haven in Walkerton. Ann was the daughter of Norman and Alma (McQueen) Eckensweiler and spent her entire life in Walkerton. She watched the town grow and change from behind the counter at her mother’s General Store as a young girl, and then from the counter of the Bank of Montreal during her working life.
Ann was second youngest in a family of 4 Eckensweiler brothers (Skip, Bud, Gary, Jim) and 1 sister (Mae), and loved all the teasing and overprotection that came with it (though she would never admit it!). Dave had to answer to all the brothers when he started coming around, after seeing Ann skating at the Walkerton arena in the winter of 1956. He must have passed inspection, as they were married on May 20, 1961, and began their life together in a little house on the corner of Princess and Maple Sts. Over the years, they knocked down walls, redid floors, remodelled the bathrooms countless times and built additions. While Dave (and later, their son Terry) was busy making the mess, Ann was busy handing him tools, sweeping up after him, and making sure there was a cold drink and a hot meal ready when the day’s work was done. Dave was the love of Ann’s life and she was the springboard for his, allowing him to follow his passions for music and woodworking, knowing that Ann had their everyday life completely under control. When Ann wasn’t busy building and banking, you could find her on the dance floor at one of the many events that Dave’s bands played at over the years. Nothing made Ann happier than dancing as Dave sang and played, and she and her best friend, Helen McLean, were the life of many parties that continued on into the wee small hours of the night, both locally and on their joint holidays to sunny spots!
Family meant everything to Ann, and she remained close to her brothers and sister her whole life. She never missed sending a birthday or anniversary card, and even when remembering the dates became more difficult for her, Ann would make sure Dave kept checking the calendar to be sure the cards were in the mail in plenty of time. Ann and Dave had a son, Terry, in 1964, and a daughter Kimberly, who died in infancy. Ann delighted in Terry’s adventures, and even when she didn’t understand them, encouraged him in her own way. She was so proud of the man and father he became, and never missed an opportunity to tell him.
In 2006, Ann was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and she gained a new motto (It is what it is, and we’ll deal with it), a new group of friends (the Bosom Buddies), and we all gained an appreciation for the strength and faith Ann carried within her. She rocked her bald head in ball caps because her beloved young grandsons, Adam, Ben, and Luc thought her head looked “cool” like that. Ann would do anything for “her boys” and was a constant source of hugs, kisses, Monopoly games, apple juice and Timbits while they were young. As they grew, the boys always knew their Nanny was proud of them, and she showed them off every chance she got.
We won’t miss Ann’s attempts at cookies (which made for fine road hockey pucks for the boys), but her pies and cheesecakes are the stuff of family legend, and graced every holiday meal table we can remember. We will miss her steadfast love for her family, her almost magical ability to get any stain out of any material, her desire to always be busy and helping, and her smile, which lit all our lives for so many years.
Our thanks to the doctors and staff at both Brucelea Haven and Owen Sound General Hospital for providing Ann with such compassionate care at the end of her journey, and especially to her PSW, Tara, who with Dave, helped Ann stay in her much-loved home for as long as she could and became a true friend to both of them.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church, Walkerton. A live-stream of the funeral mass will be made available to the public.
In lieu of flowers, please share your favourite story of Ann or make a donation to the Day Away Program (Home & Community Support Services of Grey Bruce) or to the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce – South Hospice on Ann’s memorial page at www.cameronfuneralhomes.com. Cards available at Cameron's in Walkerton (519-881-1273).
Ann was second youngest in a family of 4 Eckensweiler brothers (Skip, Bud, Gary, Jim) and 1 sister (Mae), and loved all the teasing and overprotection that came with it (though she would never admit it!). Dave had to answer to all the brothers when he started coming around, after seeing Ann skating at the Walkerton arena in the winter of 1956. He must have passed inspection, as they were married on May 20, 1961, and began their life together in a little house on the corner of Princess and Maple Sts. Over the years, they knocked down walls, redid floors, remodelled the bathrooms countless times and built additions. While Dave (and later, their son Terry) was busy making the mess, Ann was busy handing him tools, sweeping up after him, and making sure there was a cold drink and a hot meal ready when the day’s work was done. Dave was the love of Ann’s life and she was the springboard for his, allowing him to follow his passions for music and woodworking, knowing that Ann had their everyday life completely under control. When Ann wasn’t busy building and banking, you could find her on the dance floor at one of the many events that Dave’s bands played at over the years. Nothing made Ann happier than dancing as Dave sang and played, and she and her best friend, Helen McLean, were the life of many parties that continued on into the wee small hours of the night, both locally and on their joint holidays to sunny spots!
Family meant everything to Ann, and she remained close to her brothers and sister her whole life. She never missed sending a birthday or anniversary card, and even when remembering the dates became more difficult for her, Ann would make sure Dave kept checking the calendar to be sure the cards were in the mail in plenty of time. Ann and Dave had a son, Terry, in 1964, and a daughter Kimberly, who died in infancy. Ann delighted in Terry’s adventures, and even when she didn’t understand them, encouraged him in her own way. She was so proud of the man and father he became, and never missed an opportunity to tell him.
In 2006, Ann was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and she gained a new motto (It is what it is, and we’ll deal with it), a new group of friends (the Bosom Buddies), and we all gained an appreciation for the strength and faith Ann carried within her. She rocked her bald head in ball caps because her beloved young grandsons, Adam, Ben, and Luc thought her head looked “cool” like that. Ann would do anything for “her boys” and was a constant source of hugs, kisses, Monopoly games, apple juice and Timbits while they were young. As they grew, the boys always knew their Nanny was proud of them, and she showed them off every chance she got.
We won’t miss Ann’s attempts at cookies (which made for fine road hockey pucks for the boys), but her pies and cheesecakes are the stuff of family legend, and graced every holiday meal table we can remember. We will miss her steadfast love for her family, her almost magical ability to get any stain out of any material, her desire to always be busy and helping, and her smile, which lit all our lives for so many years.
Our thanks to the doctors and staff at both Brucelea Haven and Owen Sound General Hospital for providing Ann with such compassionate care at the end of her journey, and especially to her PSW, Tara, who with Dave, helped Ann stay in her much-loved home for as long as she could and became a true friend to both of them.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church, Walkerton. A live-stream of the funeral mass will be made available to the public.
In lieu of flowers, please share your favourite story of Ann or make a donation to the Day Away Program (Home & Community Support Services of Grey Bruce) or to the Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce – South Hospice on Ann’s memorial page at www.cameronfuneralhomes.com. Cards available at Cameron's in Walkerton (519-881-1273).