- Date Of Birth: March 13, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 6, 2021
- State: Michigan
Anna Mae Shuster, 96, of Estero, FL passed away Monday, September 6, 2021, at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice, Bonita Springs, FL. Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI, she had been a resident of Estero since 2000.
Ann, as she was known, was born “Friday” March 13, 1925, in Louisville, IL, the daughter of the late Tennis E. “Bill” and Dorothy R. (Roberts) Willison.
She enjoyed telling the story that her father always said that her birthdate of Friday, March 13th was the “luckiest day of his life”. At the age of 16, Cricket, her one-horsepower “mode of transportation” to school, died. So, she packed up her bags along with $50 from her father and moved to the big city of Chicago to start her life as a working “woman”. A few short weeks after her arrival, she was offered a position with the Bell Telephone Company as an operator. Within two years, she was promoted to the position of supervisor, and shortly thereafter, she received a second promotion as head supervisor. Her zest for life, spirit of kindness and love for being with other people were the values and beliefs that gave her such a fulfilling and meaningful life. Before moving to Chicago, she fell in love with Joseph C. Shuster, and after he returned wounded from his service in Europe during World War II, she nursed him back to health. They soon married and together in 1947, they established Shuster Electric Service, a successful and long respected local electrical contracting company. Her husband always said that without her they could never have achieved the professional and personal success they enjoyed as a couple and a family.
She was always known as a very kind, sweet person who loved getting to know other people. No one who knew her was ever surprised to learn that whenever she waited in line somewhere, she would make a new friend before leaving.
Ann was an avid bingo player who loved her friends. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family. Along with her husband, she provided a wonderful and loving home for her three sons, for which they are forever grateful.
Survivors include her loving sons, David M. Shuster of Estero, FL, Thomas E. (Catherine) Shuster of Kalamazoo, MI, John F. Shuster of Fort Myers, FL; former daughter-in-law Gail (Gary) Morton of Stevensville, MI, cherished granddaughters, Christina (Mark) Chenier, Ashley Shuster; and precious great granddaughters, Leah Chenier and Makaila Chenier; and her nephews and nieces Dawn (Ron) Jones, Teresa (Matt) Olson, Mike Willison, Phillip Willison, Rex Dawkins, Carol Shuster, Robert Shuster, Donald (Evelyn) Shuster, Vickie Egyud, Val (Jan) McPeak, Dean (Cecile) McPeak, Curtis (Margie) McPeak and many grand nieces and nephews.
She was blessed to be part of a large family that loved her and that she dearly loved. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her dear husband, Joseph C. Shuster; and siblings, Gene (Pauline) Willison, Madonna (Pete) Courtright, Vernon (Alice) Willison, Garland (Patricia) Willison and Janice (Larry-still living ) Embrey and nieces and nephews Jim Courtright, Kathy Courtright, Gail Willison and Mike Mitchell: in-laws Carl (Edna) Eckel and daughter Ruth Ann Montgomery, Fred (Marie) Shuster and son Carl Shuster, daughters Mae (Bob) Hays, Mary Jo Parker and Norma Brehm, Edward (Virginia) Shuster and son Robert Shuster.
