Anne M. SZUMIGALA
SZUMIGALA Anne M. Anne Marie (Labuzinski) Szumigala, age 81, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2011, while undergoing heart surgery. She was born May 3 1930, in Toledo, OH, the daughter of Walter and Mary Labuzinski. She attended Central Catholic High School (class of 1948), attended Joliet University on scholarship, and graduated from the University of Toledo, specializing in the field of education. She continued her education at Eastern Michigan University, and earned a Master’s Degree in Gerontology. Anne spent a lifetime devoting herself to helping and educating others, especially within the Toledo Public Schools and at Immaculate Conception and Little Flower Catholic schools in Toledo. She also taught at Bedford Public schools and taught continuing education courses at the Monroe Senior Center in Monroe, MI. She was an honored recipient of President George H.W. Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light Award” for her volunteer work in the field of education. She was an integral coordinator of the G.I.V.E. (Grandparents Interested in Volunteering for Education) program in Toledo. Anne also volunteered for numerous community enrichment activities, including the Toledo Museum of Art (The Peristyle), the Masonic Auditorium, and other cultural events. She sang in the choir at Little Flower Church and made it a priority to sing at funeral masses to aid in comforting families of the dearly departed. She also volunteered for the PTA, the Cub Scouts, and the Toledo Mother of Twins Club. She served as Volunteer Director for the DACOVA United Way Volunteers Action Committee and as a Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. Anne found time to pursue other passions in her life. She traveled the globe, starting with primitive camping trips across the USA with her family, and later in life traveling with her husband Jim to destinations in Europe, Scandinavia, Egypt, Russia, Japan, and the Amazon River. She enjoyed nature by daily walks and tending her extensive vegetable and flower gardens. She nurtured life, even planting dozens of flowers the weekend before her untimely death. She loved spring, the season of rebirth and new growth. Her motto was “Live each day”. Anne balanced these outside activities while supporting her family by making home cooked meals, sewing, cooking and canning produce, and making specialty Polish and ethnic dishes. Her children anticipated the arrival of Placek shipped to them every Easter and Christmas. Even professionally catered family events were enhanced by the addition of her special, home cooked items. She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Jim; her children: Amy (Bob) Mohler, Houston, TX; David (Ellen Daley) Szumigala, Fairbanks, AK, Dale (Lisa) Szumigala, Colorado Springs, CO, Cathy (Michele Condie) Szumigala, Wellsville, UT, Sue (Richard) Morgan, Wauseon, OH; grand children, Jeremy, Jonathan and Jennifer Mohler; Matias, Antonio and Nayeli Szumigala, Cassandra Szumigala; Tyce Liston, Nichole (Jason) Heller, Jessica and Christina Morgan and great-grand-children, Isaiah, Ethan, Elijah, Isaac and Ella Heller. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Nathan Morgan. Friends and family may visit on Sunday, May 15, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at W.K. Sujkowski & Son Funeral Home, 3838 Airport Hwy., where the Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Funeral services will begin with prayers at the mortuary on Monday at 11:15 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon at Little Flower Church, 5522 Dorr St, Toledo, Ohio. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 5725 Hill Avenue. A reception will be held following Internment at the O’Grady Center at Little Flower Parish. Tributes in Anne’s name may be directed to the tuition assistance fund at St. Benedict (formerly Little Flower) School.
Anne Szumigala (1930-2011)
Mrs. Szumigala was a lifelong Toledoan who devoted much of her life to children, family members said.
After graduating from Central Catholic High School, Mrs. Szumigala went first to Joliet University and then on to the University of Toledo, from which she graduated.
She taught for years in public and private schools, starting her career in 1953 with Toledo Public Schools. She also taught for Little Flower, Immaculate Conception and Bedford Public Schools before returning to the Toledo district for two years.
She retired in 1989.
It was then she ramped up her volunteering.
“She just loved helping people,” daughter Amy Mohler said. “That’s what she lived for.”
Mrs. Szumigala received her most notable recognition in 1990, when she was selected as one of former President Bush’s ”Thousand Points of Light” award winners. Her husband, Jim Szumigala, said she was notified by letter that she had been selected. Later, the couple was flown to Disney World in Florida for an all-expenses-paid award ceremony. Another of her daughters, Cathy Szumigala, said her mother even got to be onboard Air Force One during the festivities.
In spite of all the excitement and accolades, Mrs. Szumigala wasn’t one to brag, even to her daughters.
“She was very humble and she never talked about this stuff. She’d write us a little letter, ‘Oh yes, I did this, I did that,’ and it was all very down-played,” daughter Cathy said.
Mrs. Szumigala volunteered with many organizations, including the United Way, the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Cub Scouts. The Thousand Points of Light — an award given by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network to honor volunteerism — was given for her work in education.
Her husband, whom she met on a blind date, said educating was her true passion.
“She loved children and she wanted to help them,” he said.
The couple had traveled extensively, visiting some of the most historic parts of the world. Together, they saw the pyramids in Egypt, Stonehenge in England, and the Roman Coliseum. They also visited remote locations far off the beaten path. Mr. Szumigala said they recently took a cruise ship up the Amazon River.
“We enjoyed that trip, seeing the native villages along the way, the history,” he said.
Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Jim; sons, David and Dale; daughters, Amy Mohler, Cathy Szumigala, and Sue Morgan; 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11:15 a.m. Monday at Little Flower Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at W.K. Sujkowski & Son Funeral Home, Airport Highway.
The family suggests tributes to the tuition assistance fund at St. Benedict School.
Contact Blade staff writer Tyrel Linkhorn at: tlinkhorn@theblade.com or 419-724-6134.
WALLERSTEIN David Allen David Wallerstein, age 36, of South Toledo, passed away suddenly on April 17, 2011. David was born in Toledo Ohio on July 14,1974. He was a graduate of E.L. Bowsher High School. He is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Ladislao Wallerstein; he is survived by his children, Kayla and Alissa Couturier, Alexis LaFountain, Ethan and Emma Lopez; mother, Elaine Wallerstein; siblings, Ernest (Margaret), Richard, Stephen (Cynthia) Wallerstein, Rose Ann (Kenneth) Timmons, Jerry (Nancy), Carol (Deena), and Thomas (Cassandra) Wallerstein. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. There will be no visitation and memorial services may be determined at a later date. The Coyle Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
KAHLER Brent Brent Kahler, age 63, a longtime resident of Toledo, passed away unexpectedly, Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. He was born February 27th, 1948 to Dr. Lyle and Stella (Finn) Kahler in Toledo. Brent was a graduate of Bowsher High School, Class of 1966 and continued his studies at the University of Toledo receiving a Degree in Pharmacy in 1972. Brent married the love of his life, Nancy (Brennan). He then became the owner of Kahler Pharmacy and continued serving the community for 30 years. He enjoyed boating and was a Past Commodore with Maumee River Yacht Club, as well as being a member of The Catawba Island Club. Brent loved to golf and was a former member at both Brandywine and Heatherdowns Country Clubs. He was also a member of T.O.M. (Toledo Organization of Management) for many years. Brent was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend and he cherished the time spent with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lyle and Stella Kahler. Brent is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Nancy Kahler; son, Ryan (Rebecca) Kahler of Toledo, OH; sister, Cosette (Don) Woodward of Maumee, OH; mother and father-in-law, Robert and Jean Brennan; brothers-in-law, Jim (Amy) and Bill (Mary) Brennan; niece and nephews, Andrea, Rob, Joe and Colin Brennan and many dear friends. The family will receive guests Tuesday from 2-7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900). A Memorial Service will begin Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Those wishing to make contributions are asked to consider Cornelia de Lange Foundation. To leave a special message for the Kahler Family, please visit: 
ARRINGTON Peggy Lucas Arrington, 56, passed away Tuesday May 3, 2011 at the Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring following an extended fight against breast cancer. A native of Toledo, Ohio, she had lived in Jacksonville since 1976 and worked as an educator, paralegal, art teacher, and served as a volunteer. Peggy enjoyed drawing and creating rubber stamp crafts for over 19 years, leading her to membership in the Clever Stampers Club. Mrs. Arrington is survived by her husband of 30 years, Steven L. Arrington, and daughter, Kathryn Arrington of Jacksonville; her father, Howard (Bud) Lucas of South Pasadena, Florida; brothers and sisters-in-law: James and Lisa Lucas of Clarkston, Michigan; Mark and Gina Lucas of Toledo, Ohio; and nieces and nephew: Alyssa, Kristina, Anne, and Andrew. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 7, 2011 in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 780, New York, New York 10008 or to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, 
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