Ann Marie Charles, age 72, of Lowell, Michigan, passed away with Lori and John at her side on Friday, September 29, 2023. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend. She was well loved by her community and will always hold a place in our hearts.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ruth Szyslowski. Ann is survived by her significant other John Sterly, her loving daughter, Lori (Michael) Baird, John’s daughters, Lea (Brad) Hileman and Tara (Chad) Geldersma, and her beloved grandchildren Weston Baird, Alyssa and Bailey Hendricks, Autumn and Damion Geldersma, Eleanor and Eli Hileman, and great-grandchildren, Braxton and Emmy. Ann also leaves behind three brothers James (Linda) Szyslowski, Pat (Sue) Szyslowski, and Stan Szyslowski (Marie), her cousin Barbara Schelling, second cousins Steve (Liz) Schelling, Scott (Stacy) Schelling, and Nicole Schelling (Mark), as well as countless other dear family and friends.
Ann was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Union High School In 1969. After high school, Ann furthered her education at Grand Rapids Junior College and graduated from Aquinas College in 1973. She began her long and satisfying career as an elementary school teacher at St. James where she herself had gone to school as a small child. She eventually left teaching for a brief time, but missed the children so much, she went back to teaching again. Ann began teaching in the Lowell Area Public Schools in 1991 and remained there until her retirement 23 years later.
Ann was an active soul and enjoyed life to the fullest. She especially loved the sun and the beach and her time at her condo in Florida. She loved hosting family and friends at parties and holiday gatherings. Ann will forever be remembered for the kindness she showed others.
Visitation will be on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 1:00pm-3:00pm. A Celebration of Life will begin at 3:00pm. The family would love for you to be ready to share your memories with and about Ann on that day. The Visitation and Celebration of Life will take place at Roth-Gerst Chapel, 305 N Hudson, Lowell, Michigan 49331.
Memorial contributions can be directed in Ann’s honor to Faith Hospice at 2100 Raybrook St SE # 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
16 Responses
John
Sorry to hear of your loss !
You will be my prayers and thoughts.
Ron Osborne
She will forever be in our hearts and misses greatly.
Jocelyn & Rick Buxman
I am so sorry for your loss, Annie was a dear kind loving friend I am so happy to have enjoyed her company in Florida, she will be in my heart ❤️ forever .
To Ann Marie’s family,
On behalf of the Aquinas Faith community, we extend our sympathy upon learning of Ann’s death. God grace you with Gratitude and Peace as you celebrate her life among us and her Risen Life in Christ. She touched lives with her gentleness. May your family stories keep her close at heart.
Know of our prayerful support in the months ahead.
Ann is in Heaven at peace and without pain! We will miss her in Florida. Prayers for family and friends!
John I am so sorry for your loss. She was such an amazing person. I will so miss her smile . My daughter had her for first grade and has always talked about what a great teacher she was. I am sending hugs and am glad she is at peace now
John sorry for loss. Robert and I will miss her bubbly presence at the pool. She always kept us entertained, such a lovely spirit. May in the days forward you take comfort in her peace. Robert and Darlene
We loved here and always enjoyed being around here when she visited Colorado.
We know the loss is great for all that knew her and loved her. We are so sorry for
your loss, there is a big void in all the hearts that knew her…
Dear John:
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same. It was a blessing to know Annie. We will never forget her kindness and generosity. She lit up the room with her “sparking personality”.
John and Family
My thoughts and Prayers at this Sad News. Annie is Pain Free and at Peace. Thankful to have enjoyed her Friendship and will Miss Her Beautiful Smile and Kind and thoughtful Ways. Heaven has a new Angel. Truely Loved and Missed. 💔❤️🙏
So sad to hear. Annie was a ray of sunshine each and every day. We met her just one season in Florida but she made our lives happier and positive for the brief time. She will be missed.
Corky and Julie King
We knew Annie for only a short time but she made such a huge impression on our entire family!! We are so thankful and grateful for this!! Our sincere condolences John at this most difficult time!! Sincerely Mike and Ruth Zauhar
So sorry to hear of her passing. I will miss her.
Annie was such a special person. I met her on our first trip to Quail Run and her energy was catching. Myrnell and the others all helped to make it a truly wonderful visit stay. I have not been able to come back but think of Annie, her water aerobics classes and Quail run often. Always with a smile. She will be missed by all. Gods speed Annie.
My heart is broken as I loved our dear Annie. We had so much fun together and I will always hear her laugh which makes me smile. I know what a deep lost this is for you John and my heart aches for you. In time we will have so many wonderful memories to talk about and I will always be here for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family.
Thinking of and praying for family and friends that are now experiencing such a great loss. I will always remember Annie’s love for others and I will strive to live more passionately like she did. I always admired her zest for life! What an amazing legacy she has left for generations to come. ❤️