Ann Marie Spohnholz
Apr 18, 1950 -
Jun 9, 2024
Ann Spohnholz, longtime community activist, educator and political leader, passed away at the Thomas Center for Senior Leadership in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 9, 2024. Born Ann Marie Hawley in Northampton, Mass., to Nora Mary Ann (Clogston) Hawley and Arthur Howard Hawley, Ann was the oldest of five children. Ann left home at 17, settling in Alaska in the early 1970s, where she built a family.
Ann was a tireless advocate for children. As a foster parent, she cared for dozens of children, served as president of the Alaska Foster Parent Association and, in 1982, received a First Lady's Volunteer Award for her advocacy on behalf of Alaska's children. She later became Parent Training Coordinator at Anchorage Community Mental Health Center, director of Saakaaya Children's Center and founder of Rockin' Wood Learning Center.
Her advocacy for children led to ever-increasing roles as an activist, political leader, and feminist organizer. In 1989, she was appointed to the Alaska State House by Governor Steven Cowper, representing Mountain View and East Anchorage. Ann remained active in Alaska politics for many years, including serving as party chair and managing many political campaigns. She was on the boards of the National Association of Foster Care Educators; Abused Women's Aid in Crisis; Russian Jack Community Council; and ChildCare Connection and was a member and president of the bipartisan Alaska Women's Political Caucus. She worked in Governor Tony Knowles' administration, where she launched the Alaska Job Center Network and was the founding director Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium.
In 1990, Ann earned a B.A. from APU and, in 2013, a Masters from UAA. She then became an instructor at UAA and, later, a paraprofessional and substitute teacher for the Anchorage School District. As an educator, Ann saw it as her mission to support students facing challenges in the existing educational system.
In retirement, Ann became deeply involved in St. Mary's Episcopal Church, where she found a spiritual home and community. She served as chair of the Vestry and helped to build the Thomas Center for Senior Leadership, her home for the last six years. She loved the St. Mary's community and volunteered in many ministries, including Friends in Serving Humanity and Christians for Equality.
Ann relished gardening and cooking. As a master gardener, she loved to share her knowledge and the food she grew with others. She was a voracious reader and lover of the New York Times crosswords. She valued spending time at the family's cabin north of Talkeetna and traveling the world.
Ann cherished the family she built in Alaska. She was a doting grandmother to Iris (Cody Fretheim), Kim, Maddy, Maya, Olive, Lane, Simon and Koen. She could be counted on to organize sleepovers at Grandma Ann's, holiday gatherings - including cookie decorating! - and other adventures. Ann is survived by her children, Ivy Spohnholz (Troy Bowler), Jesse Spohnholz (Sheri Six), Jake Spohnholz (Wendy Spohnholz) and Grace Spohnholz (Jason Lessard), and her beloved grandchildren.
A memorial will be held on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at 1 p.m., at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2222 East Tudor Road in Anchorage. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations in Ann's memory may be made to the Thomas Center for Senior Leadership's Housing Assistance Fund or Facing Foster Care in Alaska.
