Ann Walkowski Waters

Ann Walkowski Waters passed away peacefully in the early morning in North Riverside, Illinois. She was 92.

Ann was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Her father was a doctor and her mother a nurse in the growing territory, and Ann remained anchored to the area and its landscape all her life. She loved mountains wherever she found them, and was nourished by her visits home whenever she could make them.

She graduated from Forest Ridge School in Seattle, WA, and received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She then worked at Westminster Choir College, where she met her husband, James (Jim) Waters. They married, and moved to Kent, OH in 1968, where Jim taught at Kent State University. Ann quickly became a presence in Kent, in the United Church of Christ and the University Women's Group, as well as teaching private piano lessons at home.

Once her children were in school, she went back to school herself and received a Ph.D. in Music Pedagogy in 1991 from Kent State University. She taught music at the Salem Campus of KSU and was the founding director of the Kent State Salem Communiversity Choir from 1989 until her retirement in 2005. She moved back to Kent where she became the director of Kent Classic Arts, presenting concerts to the community from 2005-2010. A vigorous advocate for music and the arts, especially arts education, she conducted a children's choir at the UCC and at the Alaska Fine Arts camp for two summers.

Ann remained active until health issues necessitated her move to a facility near Brookfield, IL, where she could be near her son George and his family. She was fiercely devoted to her family and her love was unwavering. Ann's passing leaves a void in the lives of her wide circle of family, friends and colleagues. Survivors include son George (Kitty Huffman) Waters, daughter Helen (Peter Lloyd) Waters and son Robert (Antra Sinha) Waters; and grandchildren Annaliese Waters and Samuel Waters.

Services and Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a garden or music/arts organization of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.

Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

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