Welcome and good morning. Before speaking about our aunt and dear friend, let me explain why Ann’s obituary read that she was survived by her extended family.
Even as a young girl, Ann was a devout Catholic and often spoke of how fond she was of going to church with her mother in Germany. At the age of 26, Ann had been employed with Eastman Kodak in Germany. She remained very active in the Catholic Church and also belonged to a group of young adults who were promoting peace throughout the world. In the latter part of August 1939, Ann arrived in New York City with other members of her peace group. However, less than a week later, Germany attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and Ann was found stranded in the United States. She never fully explained why she was unable to return to Germany since the United States was not at war with Germany at that time. However, Ann did have two sisters, Terry and Helen, who were residing in New York City at the time and they both encouraged her to remain in New York City with them. Ann stayed in New York for a while working at several jobs but she never liked the hustle and bustle of the city and was very unhappy residing there. Since she was already employed at Kodak in Germany, she attempted to transfer to Kodak in Rochester but was rejected because she said that there was a great deal of resentment and discrimination against Germans at that time. Somehow, a friend of Ann’s knew of Gertrude Ripen who was residing on Boardman Street in Rochester, next door to my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gravina. Ann was informed that Mr. and Mrs. Gravina might be willing to offer Ann room and board since only two of their seven children were still living in the house, my mother Florence and my Aunt Evelyn. Despite the passionate appeals by her sisters to remain in New York City, her strong will and independent spirit moved Ann to come to Rochester, where she resided with my grandparents for approximately 12 years. Ann confided in me that at times conditions were very difficult for her after moving to Rochester, and on a few occasions she was unable to pay for her room and board on time. However, my grandparents, who were the most kind and wonderful people, would just tell Ann not to worry and to pay them when she was able to do so. She never forgot my grandparent’s kindness and always loved and honored them as if they were her own parents
As such, I have known Ann all of my life. I fondly remember Ann taking me to Sibley’s and to the Manhattan restaurant for lunch, the birthday and Christmas gifts, the day trips, bowling at Clover Lanes and helping me with my German classes in high school. She was not only an Aunt to me but she was also like a sister to my mother and her siblings, as well as like a daughter to my grandparents.
After working at several jobs including housecleaning, as a bookkeeper at the Rochester Club and for Mr. Bob Wegman, Ann was prompted by Gertrude to apply for a job at Dolomite and the rest is history. Ann was hired as a bookkeeper and did a meticulous job; she was a loyal, devoted and hard working employee of the Dolomite Group and earned the respect and love of the entire Odenbach family.
Upon retiring at age 65, Ann continued her joy of traveling, golf, bowling and her bridge groups. She also adored cats and is survived by her beloved Buffy.
Ann will be missed by many and has touched so many lives. She was a woman of grace and never one to complain. Most importantly, Ann will be remembered as a woman of faith. She was inspirational, spiritual and uplifting. Worry was never a word she used in her vocabulary. Instead, she would spend hours at Adoration at St. Johns praying and remembering those that were sick or in need of God’s love. She very seldom watched television but instead immersed herself into reading religious literature and Catholic pamphlets regarding Catholic doctrine and the lives of the saints.
Ann always told me that she was not afraid of death but stated that she always prayed for a peaceful and happy passing. Thanks to God and the Holy Spirit, Ann was granted her wish. When my wife and I were called by the nursing home and informed that Ann was no longer eating or drinking, we immediately went to assess her condition and to speak with the supervising nurse. Ann was not doing well and we felt it was imperative that we call for a priest. After contacting the rectory, Shirley answered the phone and told me that she knew Ann and stated that she would immediately contact one of the parish priests. God bless Shirley, because Father Edison responded and arrived at the nursing home to administer the sacrament of the sick for Ann. My wife and I were blessed to have prayed with Father Edison over Ann, and I am convinced that Ann knew that we were there. At one point, she moved her hand to place over Georgiann’s; she was telling us in her own way that she wanted to be with the Lord and that it was her time to let go and that she was now at peace. Even more poignant is the fact that after my wife and I left the nursing home, George and Wally Havens and Barbara Mahler, very dear friends of Ann, arrived shortly thereafter where they visited with her and consoled her. After the Havens left, Barbara told me that Ann was attempting to move her arms upwards as though reaching toward Heaven and that Ann then gave the appearance that she saw something most beautiful and then passed peacefully. God bless you George, Wally and Barbara for also being with Ann, as she was about to enter Heaven. None of us expected that her death was so imminent. Her prayers were answered and she is now free to be with the angels in Heaven.
Thank you Father Edison for praying for Aunt Ann and for administering the sacraments to her. I do not think that these events were coincidences but that they were manifestations of Jesus and the Blessed Mother coming to take Ann home to Heaven.
Aunt Ann, in the words of Jesus, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Thank you for your love and friendship. You will be missed and will forever be a part of our hearts.
Dear Ann, it is now time to say Auf Wiedersehen and Wir Lieben Dich.
Welcome and good morning. Before speaking about our aunt and dear friend, let me explain why Ann’s obituary read that she was survived by her extended family.
Even as a young girl, Ann was a devout Catholic and often spoke of how fond she was of going to church with her mother in Germany. At the age of 26, Ann had been employed with Eastman Kodak in Germany. She remained very active in the Catholic Church and also belonged to a group of young adults who were promoting peace throughout the world. In the latter part of August 1939, Ann arrived in New York City with other members of her peace group. However, less than a week later, Germany attacked Poland on September 1, 1939 and Ann was found stranded in the United States. She never fully explained why she was unable to return to Germany since the United States was not at war with Germany at that time. However, Ann did have two sisters, Terry and Helen, who were residing in New York City at the time and they both encouraged her to remain in New York City with them. Ann stayed in New York for a while working at several jobs but she never liked the hustle and bustle of the city and was very unhappy residing there. Since she was already employed at Kodak in Germany, she attempted to transfer to Kodak in Rochester but was rejected because she said that there was a great deal of resentment and discrimination against Germans at that time. Somehow, a friend of Ann’s knew of Gertrude Ripen who was residing on Boardman Street in Rochester, next door to my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gravina. Ann was informed that Mr. and Mrs. Gravina might be willing to offer Ann room and board since only two of their seven children were still living in the house, my mother Florence and my Aunt Evelyn. Despite the passionate appeals by her sisters to remain in New York City, her strong will and independent spirit moved Ann to come to Rochester, where she resided with my grandparents for approximately 12 years. Ann confided in me that at times conditions were very difficult for her after moving to Rochester, and on a few occasions she was unable to pay for her room and board on time. However, my grandparents, who were the most kind and wonderful people, would just tell Ann not to worry and to pay them when she was able to do so. She never forgot my grandparent’s kindness and always loved and honored them as if they were her own parents
As such, I have known Ann all of my life. I fondly remember Ann taking me to Sibley’s and to the Manhattan restaurant for lunch, the birthday and Christmas gifts, the day trips, bowling at Clover Lanes and helping me with my German classes in high school. She was not only an Aunt to me but she was also like a sister to my mother and her siblings, as well as like a daughter to my grandparents.
After working at several jobs including housecleaning, as a bookkeeper at the Rochester Club and for Mr. Bob Wegman, Ann was prompted by Gertrude to apply for a job at Dolomite and the rest is history. Ann was hired as a bookkeeper and did a meticulous job; she was a loyal, devoted and hard working employee of the Dolomite Group and earned the respect and love of the entire Odenbach family.
Upon retiring at age 65, Ann continued her joy of traveling, golf, bowling and her bridge groups. She also adored cats and is survived by her beloved Buffy.
Ann will be missed by many and has touched so many lives. She was a woman of grace and never one to complain. Most importantly, Ann will be remembered as a woman of faith. She was inspirational, spiritual and uplifting. Worry was never a word she used in her vocabulary. Instead, she would spend hours at Adoration at St. Johns praying and remembering those that were sick or in need of God’s love. She very seldom watched television but instead immersed herself into reading religious literature and Catholic pamphlets regarding Catholic doctrine and the lives of the saints.
Ann always told me that she was not afraid of death but stated that she always prayed for a peaceful and happy passing. Thanks to God and the Holy Spirit, Ann was granted her wish. When my wife and I were called by the nursing home and informed that Ann was no longer eating or drinking, we immediately went to assess her condition and to speak with the supervising nurse. Ann was not doing well and we felt it was imperative that we call for a priest. After contacting the rectory, Shirley answered the phone and told me that she knew Ann and stated that she would immediately contact one of the parish priests. God bless Shirley, because Father Edison responded and arrived at the nursing home to administer the sacrament of the sick for Ann. My wife and I were blessed to have prayed with Father Edison over Ann, and I am convinced that Ann knew that we were there. At one point, she moved her hand to place over Georgiann’s; she was telling us in her own way that she wanted to be with the Lord and that it was her time to let go and that she was now at peace. Even more poignant is the fact that after my wife and I left the nursing home, George and Wally Havens and Barbara Mahler, very dear friends of Ann, arrived shortly thereafter where they visited with her and consoled her. After the Havens left, Barbara told me that Ann was attempting to move her arms upwards as though reaching toward Heaven and that Ann then gave the appearance that she saw something most beautiful and then passed peacefully. God bless you George, Wally and Barbara for also being with Ann, as she was about to enter Heaven. None of us expected that her death was so imminent. Her prayers were answered and she is now free to be with the angels in Heaven.
Thank you Father Edison for praying for Aunt Ann and for administering the sacraments to her. I do not think that these events were coincidences but that they were manifestations of Jesus and the Blessed Mother coming to take Ann home to Heaven.
Aunt Ann, in the words of Jesus, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Thank you for your love and friendship. You will be missed and will forever be a part of our hearts.
Dear Ann, it is now time to say Auf Wiedersehen and Wir Lieben Dich.