- Date Of Birth: July 4, 1923
- Date Of Death: March 17, 2014
- State: Michigan
Ann Rita (Tomczak) Pfenninger, age 90 of Midland, died Monday, March 17, 2014 at Colonial Villa. Ann was born July 4, 1923 in Bay City, one of fourteen children born to Louis and Mary (Sowinski) Tomczak, married Bernard “Barney” F. Pfenninger on September 29, 1945. After 63 years of a special union of love he predeceased her December 4, 2008. Yet, just this year Ann created another special Valentine for her “Barney”; “the one I still love”.
Ann’s mother died when she was 16 years old, so Ann was unable to finish high school because she had to raise her brothers and sisters. She was so very proud to have received her GED in 1974 (at age 51), the same year her son received his medical degree. In her younger years, during WWII, Ann worked as “Annie the Riveter”. Even after a serious stroke in 1992 she was involved in many public issues and wrote letters to the Bay City Times editor on a regular basis. Ann had her opinions and she made them known to all who would listen…and even to those who wouldn’t!
Her hobbies included sewing, (making outfits for her children and grandchildren, and their dolls), vegetable and fruit canning, gardening, (especially flowers), farming, St. Valentine’s Church, Polish cooking for her family, Polka music and dancing. She loved baseball and frequently treated little league teams for doing well. The Detroit Tigers were her team! She never missed a game on TV, if she could help it, and rooted with the best of them. She was a member of St. Valentine Catholic Church in Kawkawlin; daily prayer was more than just a part of her life. She was also a member of the Red Hat Ladies.
Ann was devoted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was constantly “winning” little gifts for them at her assisted living home, Colonial Villa of Midland, using her “Villa Bucks” to buy something for them. She was always thinking of others. She had an unusual memory, even at 90, to recall everyone’s name, what they did, where they lived, and even each and every phone number! Until the day she died she would write out holiday and birthday cards to everyone—and never missed a birthday. Each greeting began with “I remember when…”
Mrs. Pfenninger is survived by her children, John (Kay) Pfenninger, MD, of Midland, Rosemary Roberts of MD, Renee (Warren) Stewart of Canada, Paul (Keven) Pfenninger of Bay City, Melvin (Sherry) Pfenninger of Bay City, Ramona (Lawrence) Sams of VA; Grandchildren, Stacey (Romolo) Maura of Howell, Matthew Pfenninger of OH, Dana (Nabeel) Khan of VA, Cathie Adams of VA, Michael Adams of VA, Lance (Sarah) Pfenninger of Midland, Craig (Kristel) Pfenninger of Flushing, Lisa (Aaron) Roznowski of Bay City, Todd (Teresa) Pfenninger of Southfield, Nicole Pfenninger of KY, Ashley Pfenninger of IL, Adam Pfenninger of Bay City, Nathan Pfenninger of Bay City, Sawyer (Caroline) Sams of TX, Spenser (Erin) Sams of VA, Sterling Sams of NC and Sydney Sams of VA; great grandchildren, Daniel Maura, Ryan Maura, Bennett Aliabadi, Brady Aliabadi, Mya Pfenninger, Max Pfenninger, Nash Pfenninger, Kinsley Pfenninger, Anna Earle, Jaxon Earle, Lawrence Sams III, Adam Khan and three more on the way. She is also survived by her sister, Sophie and was “Auntie Ann” to many special nieces and nephews, all of whom she truly loved.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Pfenninger was predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Cecelia, Edward, Dorothy, Helen, Vick, Kate, Benjamin, Pauline, Martha, Lucy, Theresa and Joseph. Ann truly appreciated the regular visits from her sister in law, Natalie Pfenninger and nieces, Dorothy (Elden) Coats and Judy (Bill) Hough. Ann loved and would surely thank Sharon Histed for her special care every Wednesday for many years.
The family would like to thank all the staff at Colonial Villa who took care of their mother for the last five years. They became her additional family and they say she was like a grandma to all of them. (Ann prided herself in knowing everyone’s name there too!) Also, a special thank you to Dr. Aloff and Southern Hospice for their support.
