Anne Bartley

On December 8th, our family lost one of our brightest lights with the passing of Anne Schaffer Bartley. She was an indomitable force who “mothered” three generations of the women and men of our family. We have all been shaped by her energy and her essence. Anne was born in 1929 to Frances and Carl Schaffer, and that family later welcomed her brothers John and Mark Schaffer, both of whom predeceased her. She attended St. Angela Hall elementary school and graduated from Scott High School in 1946. She attended the University of Toledo and graduated in 1950. That same year, she was married to Hugh Bartley Jr., and was married to him until his death in 1980. Our mother was known for her great smile, for her generosity, her warmth, her hospitality, and her quirky sense of humor. Irreverent and mischievous, she was a sly student of manners and mannerisms, and a gentle, kindly, practical joker. At her house on Timberlawn Rd., she created a strong sense of home for her family and friends that felt effortless, but goodness knows it wasn’t. Whether friend or family, she never hesitated to add another place at the table, or another seat in the living room. It was our holiday gathering place, home base for family events, and a place where anyone could feel comfortable with a coffee, a sandwich, or a bowl of homemade soup in front of them. And Oh Lord, that soup. Over the years, her brothers, children, grandchildren, niece, nephews, and sisters-in-law cooked with her in that kitchen on Timberlawn Rd. And it will always be remembered as Home. Throughout her life, Anne was a “doer”, never sedentary, even late in her life when her activities were more limited. She belonged to a bicycling club, was a frequent swimmer at the YMCA, played tennis, and enjoyed gardening. She was a voracious reader. On Timberlawn, her bookshelves were absolutely fascinating—running the gamut from the ridiculous, to the profound, to the profoundly ridiculous. She was a member of a long standing book club, and volunteered as a reading tutor in the public schools. She also was a long time volunteer for Planned Parenthood. A major interest in Anne’s life was art and its history. This interest led to 26 years of volunteering as a docent at the Toledo Museum of Art, where she led countless tours for both children and adults, revealing and explaining much of the museum’s collection as well as its visiting exhibits. Anne was curious, a wanderer, with a strong desire to see the world, and she travelled extensively in Europe with friends and family. She was a crossword and puzzle addict, something her children and grandchildren inherited from her. She loved her father’s Delphos, Ohio roots, and made certain that we all knew the family stories and legends. Especially loved by her younger family members, she was unflagging with her energy and wit, and encouraged us all to follow our own talents and interests, a true gift. Anne is survived by her daughters, Hilary Ellison of Cincinnati, Ohio and Mary Anne Jordan, of Lawrence, Kansas; her son, John Bartley of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren Anne Marie Ellison (great grand-daughter Ellie Miller), Samuel Ellison, Jacob Jordan, William Jordan, Cristina Bartley, and John Nicholas Bartley. Also surviving Anne are her nephews Carl Schaffer, Cole Schaffer, Peter Schaffer, niece Mary Frances Schaffer, sons-in law Charles Ellison and Luke Jordan, daughter in-law Elena Bartley, and sisters-in-law Rose Mary Schaffer and Rubena DerManelian Schaffer. Due to Covid restrictions there will not be a funeral at this time. Contributions to honor Anne’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood, the Toledo Zoo, or the Toledo Museum of Art.