Ann Kathryn (Cherney) Markunas, 92, passed away in Akron, Ohio on March 9, 2022. She was born in Forest City, Pennsylvania on August 29, 1929, to the late Rudolph and Liguori Cherney. She is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Frank D. Markunas, her brother, Paul J. Cherney, and her sister, Mary C. Schmidt. At the time of her passing, Ann resided in Boston Heights (OH) and lived previously in Garfield Heights (OH).
Ann graduated from Forest City High School in 1947. She attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College briefly before her marriage to Frank. Ann was a forerunner in the wave of non-traditionally aged women to return to college after their families were born, and she earned a bachelor of science degree in 1965 and a master of education degree in 1970, both from Kent State University.
Ann taught third grade at Elmwood Elementary School in Garfield Heights from 1965 to 1970. She then taught third grade at St. Columbkillle School in Seven Hill (OH), beginning in 1970 and retiring in 1985.
As much as she loved teaching. Ann loved her retired life with Frank. They traveled to England and Ireland to visit distant cousins there after Ann’s retirement. Their great passion was sailing the Great Lakes on their sailboat, Sans Souci, berthed in Port Clinton (OH). Many a great friendship was made on B Dock at Brand’s Marina there.
Ann was a Life Master in the American Contract Bridge Association and enjoyed teaching bridge to a younger generation. She played extensively in tournaments locally as well as traveling around the world and across the Internet to play. She will be missed by many, many people in the world of contract bridge.
Ann is survived by her brother, Joseph Cherney and his wife, Ann, of Starlight, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Patricia, and her husband, Timothy Van Wey of Key Biscayne, Florida; her daughter, Rita, and her son, Frank J., of Boston Heights, Ohio; her granddaughter, Jennifer (Markunas) Reynolds and her husband, Scott, of Manly, Australia; and her great-granddaughter, Kaya Reynolds, of Manly, Australia.
Cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Please, no flowers... just prayers will be appreciated more than we can say.
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