Ann M. Galloway

Ann Marie Galloway, age 93, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at St. Clare Commons in Perrysburg (with her beloved family at her side). Ann was born July 6, 1924 to the late Peter and Mary Blazer in Haskins, Ohio. She was a graduate of St. Ursula Academy and attended Case Western Reserve University and the University of Toledo. Ann was the executive secretary to the president at Willys Overland before starting Galloway Travel with her husband, Bob. Ann lived an extraordinary life. Her commitment to family extended well beyond involvement in all her childrens lives to creating an extended family in the Toledo area and to a greater global community through her contributions to the Sister City International organization. She held many positions with the Toledo Opera, serving on the Executive Board, Council, and as chairman of the Sapphire Ball three times, raising over $100,000. She also raised over $160,000 for the Toledo Symphony as chairman of Razzle Dazzle, and $105,000 for the Ursuline Foundation. She served on numerous boards, including St. Vincent Medical Foundation, Lourdes College, Lourdes College Foundation, Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Centennial, Ohio Hospital Organization, Samagama, Ohio State University Alumnae Association, March of Dimes, Ursuline Development Council, St. Francis de Sales, Village Players Theatre, Republican Club, Franciscan Life Center, and Toledo Botanical Gardens. Ann was a life member of the Toledo Area Animal Shelter, a liaison to the Ohio Arts Commission, a member of the League of Women Voters, and also of the Pan Pacific/Europe Group. Ann was very active with Sister Cities International (SCI) and held many leadership positions with them including vice-president of the SCI Board, chairman for the National Young Artists Program, the Executive Director Search Committee, the Jesse Philips Memorial and for the 40th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine. She was co-chairman for the Personnel Committee and the Marketing Committee, was vice-president of Toledo Sister Cities International, a member of the Polish/American Alliance, the Hungarian Club, the Jamaican Club, and the International Institute. She initiated and founded the first successful YMCA in Spain, initiated and developed large scale scholarship and exchange programs, founded the Renee Joseph Scholarship Fund, and raised countless dollars through fundraising for various local, national and international projects. Anns community, national, and international involvement didnt go unrecognized. She was the Toledo Woman of the Year, received the Northwest Ohio Distinguished Citizen Award in 1986, the Outstanding Trustee Award- St. Vincent Medical Center, the Crescendo Award- Toledo Symphony, the Marguerite DYouval Award- Grey Nuns of Montreal, the Special Citizen Award- Szeged, Hungary, and was inducted May 23, 1986 into Spains prestigious La Orden Del Eslabori, the only North American woman to be so honored. Ann’s stories were just as amazing; tea with Princess Grace, Lunch with Mikhail Gorbachev on his yacht, attending bullfights in Spain with King Juan Carlos, meeting and shaking hands with the Dalai Lama. She survived hurricane Hugo on a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Elizabeth II, and still unsinkable went whitewater rafting in Alaska at 73 years young. Ann was a longtime member of Gesu Catholic Church and a current member of Little Flower Catholic Church. She was a 46 year member of Sylvania Country Club, a 50 year member of the American Society of Travel Agents, and was treasurer for SKAL International, an organization dedicated to promoting all phases of travel. She was active with the Sylvania Senior Center where she wrote and directed the very popular Senior Follies for 11 years. Ann is survived by her children, David Galloway (Karen), Tom Galloway (Donna), Cassie Bertke (Brent), and Sue Richardson (Scott); grandchildren, Bob Galloway (Michele), Mollie Galloway, Kate Galloway, Sara Busch (Ken), Ann Grimes (Justin), E.J. Bertke, Regan Clute (Lanyon), Elizabeth Kremer (Nick), Thomas Richardson, and Griffin Richardson; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Avery, and Zada Galloway, Ivy, Morgen, and Logan Busch, Renee and Charlie Kremer, and Ellys Bertke. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Galloway in 1998. Visitation will be at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.) on Sunday, August 6, 2017 from 2-8:00pm, with a 7:00pm Scripture Service. Funeral services will begin on Monday at 9:00am with prayers at the funeral home followed by a 10:00am funeral Mass at Gesu Catholic Church, 2045 Parkside Blvd. Toledo, OH. Interment will follow at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Young Artists and Authors Showcase of Sister Cities International, 915 15th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20005, St. Francis de Sales Scholarship Fund, 2323 W. Bancroft St. Toledo, OH 43607, or St. Ursula Academy Scholarship Fund, 4025 Indian Rd. Toledo, OH 43606.