Memorial Service for Anne Schuster is Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260 with calling in the Parlor of the Church from 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM.

Anna Frances Calvert Schuster was born March 24, 1920 in Grant County, KY. to Wallace and Mattie Calvert.  Her father was a Methodist minister, and Anne was active in his church as well as their choir and youth groups.  It was while in the choir, that she met Dwight, the man to become her husband.  Anne is the second oldest of five children – 3 girls and 2 boys.

Anne’s family moved to Indianapolis where she graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and went on to Butler University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree, then taught English at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis.

Anne and Dwight were married on December 23, 1943 between his attendance at Butler and attendance at IU School of Medicine.  They had two daughters, Carol Schuster Strom (deceased March 2005) and Catherine Schuster Tilford.  They have three grandchildren, Monica Strom Gellman (Jason) of Phoenix, AZ, Matthew Gregory Strom of Fishers, IN, and Courtney Tilford Uyar (Daniel) of New York,  NY.  Additionally they have five great-grandchildren: Abby Gellman, Mandy Gellman, Alex Gellman, AJ Strom and Gavin Strom.

Anne felt her best role in life was that of wife and mother.  She valued family, faith and community.  She and Dwight lived a blessed life together for more than 75 years and were always admired for their romance, sweetness, and respect for one another. Rarely were they seen when they weren’t holding hands.  Dwight was her first and only boyfriend, as she was his first and only girlfriend. Anne believed in helping others, and when not preparing delicious family meals or participating in family activities, she established herself as the consummate volunteer of Indianapolis….as long as she could still be home in time to have a home-cooked hot meal on the table for Dwight and their girls.

The impact Anne Schuster had on the State of Indiana and the City of Indianapolis as a result of her non-stop commitment to volunteerism is immeasurable.  Her dedication to always being willing to help when asked exemplified the true spirit of giving back.  Although, as the days passed, Anne sometimes was not physically able to do some things she once did, she never gave up.  She served as a mentor to new members of groups, was a staunch “PR” voice for the organizations, drummed up new volunteers and supporters for causes, and was often called upon by many in the community due to her wealth of service, knowledge and energy.  In the years of Mayor Hudnut and Dick Lugar’s days in office here in Indianapolis, Anne was regularly there serving as hostess, “errand girl”, troubleshooter, fierce protector, a strong resource, and a “substitute mother” for some of the young Republican people just starting out ( many of whom have gone on to make tremendous marks on our world themselves).  Stories were told of Anne “mothering” these young people and worrying that perhaps they had not eaten a good breakfast before coming to volunteer, or work, and so she was frequently known to make pancakes in the office even without milk, by adding soda water to fluff the batter.

Anne was recognized for many achievements but did not seek out public accolades.  Always willing to be a leader whenever called upon, or just a member of the “team”, it was well known that if you wanted something done – call Anne.  Examples of some of Anne’s service “loves” are:  WINS (Women in Neighborhood Service – an organization dedicated to assist with the local Republican party which she helped create at the request of  L. Keith Bulen, then Republican National Committeeman and Chairman of the Marion County Central Committee), The Assistance League of Indianapolis of which she was a Charter Member, Methodist Hospital Task Core, Indianapolis Day Nursery, St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, and more. Additionally, Anne was active and often held offices in People of Vision, the Indiana Arts Commission, Indiana State Medical Association Auxiliary, Indianapolis Medical Society, Stansfield Circle, Paul Coble of the American Legion, Butler University Alumni, Indianapolis Symphony Board and the Indiana Advocates for the Arts.  When her children were young she was a Girl Scout Leader and Sunday School leader.

Regardless of the enormous number of groups or projects or fund raising activities on which she worked, Anne’s favorite and top priority was her family.  She made time to chauffeur each child and grandchild to their activities when needed, be it baseball, piano, dance, soccer, girl scouts, gymnastics, choir practice, etc. …and many times in her snazzy car – the convertible!! What grandchild wouldn’t be excited to have their “cool Grammy” pick them up in a convertible?  Anne believed strongly in raising her children and grandchildren to be regular attendees at church and they knew that each Sunday they were expected to be dressed appropriately, appear on time, and sit respectfully next to her and Dwight in “their spot” in the Sanctuary.  A stickler for etiquette, she gently, but without hesitancy, instilled in her children and grandchildren the proper manners and respect that later has helped each of them succeed in life and put them at ease in a variety of situations.  Family traditions were memorable and several have been passed on to new generations.  Such things as: Always hang an ornament on Anne and Dwight’s Christmas tree when you visited during the holidays; Always remember to hug and kiss and say “I love you” before leaving the house or going to bed; Always be presentable at the dinner table regardless of extra curricular activity schedules, and use your table manners even when eating simple meals such as hot dogs.  The consummate hostess, Anne and Dwight hosted parties for friends and family throughout their marriage, including their annual Christmas Singing Party for adults, and the annual Easter Egg Hunts for the children.

Anne demonstrated the value of love and respect, every day, through her actions and demeanor.  She honored her commitment to her husband and family, and remained eternally dedicated to Dwight in every way.  As they aged, they remained sweethearts and were known for holding hands, hugging, and sometimes even in their later years, dancing the night away.  Each of us in the family learned the true meaning of love and admired the tenderness and joy Anne and Dwight gave to each other.

Anne struggled for the last 12 years of life with macular degeneration in both eyes, which progressively diminishes vision capabilities, but she never gave up her desire to help others.  She served as a volunteer for more than 50 years.  She once wrote “Everyone should ‘pay rent on earth’ in some way – in dedication to family, the saddened, the ill and/or in volunteer work in caring for family, friends, church and community, being careful to not neglect the family who are the most important people in life, and of which the children have the opportunity to be the future leaders of our world.”  Anne used part of a poem as a guide to her life:  “I have to live with myself, so I want to be fit for myself to know.  I want to be able as days go by to always look myself in the eye and like myself for the things I’ve done, not hate myself, at the setting sun.”

We, her family, were blessed to have such an amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and role model.  In spite of her many, many hours of volunteerism, she never failed to provide her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with the love, support and time they deserved.  Hours of reading to them, sharing her love of music with them, the theater, cooking skills and recipes, and always a warm hug – we always knew we were a priority to her and were loved.   Her total admiration and dedication to Dwight, endeared her to so many.  She put him on a pedestal and showered him with love, but their relationship was a two way street and he reciprocated this amazing love and commitment to her. Rarely a harsh word was heard and always, each day ended with a kiss and an “I Love you”.  They truly embodied the meaning of love and so it is with sadness but joy, that we know Anne and Dwight are now finally together again, with their daughter Carol, watching over those of us left to carry on and embrace their legacy.

A special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Willow Lake Place, Mobile MD and Paradigm Hospice for providing Anne with kindness, compassion and excellent care during her final months.  Donations in Anne’s honor may be made to CenterPoint Counseling at Second Presbyterian Church in honor of her husband, Dwight, The Assistance League of Indianapolis, WINS (Women in Neighborhood Service) or the Autism Society of America or a charity of your choice.