Ann Stephanian Kale

Ann Stephanian Kale, age 93, of Bradenton, Florida (previously, Birmingham, Michigan) passed away on April 16, 2020. Ann was born on July 26, 1926, in Detroit to Parouhi and Nishan Stephanian. She attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from the High School of Commerce in June 1944. During her senior year and for a period of time afterward due to her exceptional shorthand skills, she would take notes in Detroit for Generals during WWII. In June of 1946, Ann married her “Johnny” Kale in Detroit and that began a wonderful 54-year marriage. Ann worked in education for most of her working career, serving in various secretarial positions in the Birmingham (Mi) and Avondale (Mi) School systems. Ann had a passion to help others. She served on various boards, such as supporting the secretarial associations in Birmingham and Avondale, U-Turn(Drug Abuse Center for Teens), Birmingham’s City Chairman for ALSAC (Danny Thomas Hospital ) and as Chairman for the Walkathon for Common Ground (Crisis Center for Teenagers). As she served on these boards, she continued to work fulltime and attended Oakland Community College, Bloomfield Hills, Mi, earning an Associate Degree in Art, with Honors in June 1981. Ann and Johnny retired to Bradenton, Florida in 1993. After Johnny passed away in 2000, Ann again took up watercolor painting and 3-D pictures to exhibit and sell in the Bradenton area. She also wrote and illustrated 5 children’s books, donating proceeds to an orphanage in Armenia where her parents were born. Both of her parents were survivors of the Armenian Genocide during the Turkish Ottoman Empire. She was very proud of her Armenian heritage. One of her greatest accomplishments, after her husband died and in her late 70’s, was graduating from the University of South Florida in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science with Honors. At the age of 80, not surprisingly, she was the oldest graduate in her class! But her greatest joy and love, outside of her family, was her association with Rowlett Academy, in Bradenton, Florida. She was a full-time sub at all grade levels teaching everything from Dance class to Shop class. Dance class was her favorite as she would teach the kids how to Armenian line dance! She also took her therapy dog Regis in so that kids could read to him and pet him and earn a homemade cookie for their reading prowess. She created the annual “Ann Kale Turnaround Award”, bestowed upon a 5th-grade student who overcame the greatest obstacles that improved their grades and behavior. Recipients and their families received tickets to Disney World. She taught at Rowlett a wonderful 17 years before retiring two years ago at the age of 91! Ann was a caring and sharing person who made blankets and scarves for friends and their family members and was famous for making her baklava for all to enjoy. She loved her kids and family at Rowlett and they loved her. She is survived by her son Art (Elizabeth) Kale of Albion, MI, daughter Mary Ann (Joe) DeGennaro of Troy, MI, six grandchildren, Kristy (BJ) Bayer of Emporia, KS, Scott (Lauren) Kale of Ft Belvoir, VA, Marco DeGennaro, of Troy, MI, Gina DeGennaro of Clio, MI., Anthony Sorge, of Missoula, MT, and Gabrielle Sorge, of Kalamazoo, MI and four-great grandchildren, Brooks and Sloane Bayer, of Emporia, KS and Caleb and Bryce Kale, of Ft Belvoir, VA. and niece Patty Morris, of West Bloomfield, MI and nephew Mark Papazian (Deborah Mullins), of Bloomfield Hills, MI. and her best friend, Tomeika Hunter Koski, of Sarasota, FL. Interment has taken place and a Celebration of Life is planned in the Bradenton area in the future. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to: Rowlett Academy, 3500 9th Street E, Bradenton, Florida 34308. To sign her guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements were handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home and Crematory Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Ann Stephanian Kale

July 26, 1926 - April 16, 2020