July 4 is the birthday of my star-spangled Aunt Anne. She was born in 1926 to Fred and Nellie Stevens Stabbert, just two weeks before my mother Shirley made her entrance.

The family story goes that Mom's parents Percy and a very pregnant Katie Kohler came down from Kohlertown to Callicoon to interview the baby nurse who was helping Fred and Nellie, but the timing wasn't good.

Thus the Kohler and Stabbert families first met way back in 1926 but would become much better acquainted in the late 1940's and early 1950's when Shirley started dating and then married Anne's brother Fred. Shirley and Fred were my mom and dad, for those of you keeping score.

Aunt Anne, Uncle Perk, and their four children (my first cousins Tim, Anne Marie, Elaine, and David) lived next door to us five kids (Laurie, Billie, Mary, Fred, and me), and we all grew up together. I loved going next door and visiting with Anne. She always had interesting topics to talk about.

I recall that she was a big fan of James Michener's books, tomes that usually ran to 900+ pages. And I remember being a gushing teen, telling her all about The Who's Tommy, a rock opera. She patiently listened to me as I explained its genius.

Aunt Anne was always a force of nature and remains so to this very day. She baked and decorated many wedding cakes (including for me and my sisters), sewed gowns for entire wedding parties, and has probably baked one zillion Christmas cookies. She made killer antipasto and carved epic watermelon boats. She was a steadfast supporter of the United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, serving at breakfasts and dinners, and leading the Sunday School. She volunteered at every community function.

Anne also worked in the office at the Sullivan County Democrat until she decided to go back to get her teaching degree at age 40. This she accomplished with ease (of course), driving from Callicoon to SUNY Oneonta daily. And, oh yeah, she qualified to be a contestant on Jeopardy back in 1971. The word indefatigable comes to mind.

Aunt Anne has never let up. Her teaching career was remarkable, and she spearheaded the local Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program which put free books in the hands of many DVCS students. She went on to retire, move to Florida, and by all reports was just as active in her community there.

Readers of her column “Long Ago…But Near at Heart” will note her love of quilting which has kept her very busy in retirement.

All in all, Aunt Anne has accomplished much in her very active life and shows no signs of slowing down. There have been a few bumps in the road, of course, but she always bounces back, stronger than ever. She is truly a marvel.

Happy Birthday with love, Aunt Anne, and congratulations on 94 remarkable years!