Anne W Cordes

Anne Williams Cordes passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on May 15, 2015. She had suffered a stroke a week earlier. Funeral services will be conducted 10:00AM, Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Coffelt Funeral Chapel with Paul Graves, officiating. Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Anne was born Anna Louise Williams in Asbury Park, New Jersey on July 21, 1926 to Raymond and Mary Blanche Strait Williams. She grew up in Interlaken, New Jersey. She spoke of many memories but one in particular on May 6, 1937. The Hindenburg would fly over their house on its way to dock at the Lakehurst Naval Station. She was listening to the radio when the news broke about the Hindenburg explosion. She went to the kitchen and told her mother who said "That can't be--I just saw it fly over the house." But, Anne was correct. Anne graduated from Mary Washington College of University of Virginia. She was employed as a technical editor for seven years at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. During that time, she was also a volunteer driver for the Red Cross. Anne met Gordon through square dancing in the D.C. area. He was working for the Department of the Interior as a geographer. They continued their square dancing as well as hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail. Gordon proposed to Anne in Glacier National Park. They were married January 26, 1957 in Washington, D.C. After their wedding, they moved to the Westside Road in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Their first son, Roger William was born February 19, 1958. Their second son, Christopher Lee, was born December 11, 1960. The family moved to Sandpoint in 1962 where Gordon was transferred with the Forest Service as realty specialist. Anne taught English at Sandpoint Senior High School from 1963 to 1965. Besides teaching English, she also coached debate teams, sponsored speech tournaments and directed school plays. When she retired from teaching, she became active in the Sandpoint Civic Club, which was the local chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC). She served in many capacities, holding various offices, including president of the local chapter. Anne was responsible for organizing the club's annual All Bonner County Bazaar and the Bonner County School Art Contest. In 1984, she was elected to serve a two-year term as President of the Idaho Federation of Women's Clubs Third District. She continued on as both state corresponding secretary and state treasurer. In 1971, Anne was appointed director of the Sandpoint Public Library. She helped form the East Bonner County Library District. She served as director until December 1974. In 1978, Anne was appointed to Sandpoint Planning and Zoning Commission and soon became Chairman. She served on P & Z for 20 years. In 1980, she was elected to serve a 4-year team on the Sandpoint City Council. During that time she was also appointed to serve a 4-year term on the Idaho State Humanities Commission in Boise. In, 1988, Anne was elected as a trustee of the Bonner County Historical Society and helped operate the museum. Anne had many interests, at the top of her list were her granddaughters. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved history and reading, always passing on everything she learned. Japan fascinated her. She was able to take a trip to Japan when her son Christopher was stationed there in the Navy. While there she began a lifelong friendship with Eriko, whom she came to think of as a daughter. Anne loved having foreign exchange students in Bonner County give presentations at Civic Club meetings. She also welcomed them into her home. The GWFC's motto sums up her philosophy--"Unity in Diversity." Anne was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gordon; brother and sister-in -law, Theodore and Mary Williams; brother-in-law, Sheldon Cordes; daughter-in-law, Jill Cordes and nephew, Jerry Shennum. She is survived by her sons, Roger (Angela) of Overton, Nevada; Christopher of Alpine, California. Granddaughters Amanda Cordes (Trevor Carlisle) of California and Kristina Cordes of Atlanta, Georgia. Sister-in-laws Arleen Ensign and Beverly Cordes. Nieces Pamela (David) Dankworth; Debra (Robert) Vaccarella; Cindy (Scott) Tudehope and Dianne (Scott) Blair. Nephews Mike (Jane) Cordes; Gary (Tina) Cordes; Peter (Heather) Shennum; Joel (Sally) Shennum; Larry (Luda) Shennum and Andy Shennum. Numerous great nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Bonner County Historical Society, 611 S. Ella, Sandpoint, Idaho 83860.