Marie Schumer, July 29, 1929 – September 19, 2011
Ann Hurst, July 1,1928-Sept 30, 2019
Our dear friend Marie Schumer and co-founder of our Sarasota chapter of Friendship Force passed away after many years of chronic illness and the debilitating effects of diabetes. Although active in many other groups, her greatest love was helping to establish a Friendship Force chapter here in Sarasota in 1989. Some of her contributions were establishing a library in a remote town in Brazil following an exchange there in 1992. She encouraged all of us to donate books which she arranged to have sent. In 1991 she was instrumental in arranging a 6 week visit and housing for 16 teens from Thailand on a special Educational Exchange. She led the way for sponsorship for the Strezev family from Moldova, and made possible a new life for them here. Many Friendship Force members pitched in to help on these endeavors, but it was Marie who was the driving force and initiator of these and many other projects. Marie spread goodness and happiness wherever she went. Her last visit to us was at the 20th reunion party of FF in 2009. Her smile and cheerful attitude remains with us still. She leaves a legacy of devotion to people and the arts and to learning new things and accepting new challenges. She will be sorely missed.
Ann Hurst, with her husband, John retired to Florida from Dayton, Ohio where she taught elementary school for 25 years in the Dayton Public School system. Firm but caring, Ann was the consummate professional and was loved and respected by her students. After moving to Sarasota, FL she participated in many volunteer activities. She was a guardian ad litum, a volunteer for the Manatee early intervention program as well as the Sarasota Opera. She believed that her greatest volunteer contribution was co-founding the Sarasota branch of the Friendship Force Club. She also served as president for several years and traveled with the club to many parts of the world, spending time with many families in other countries.