Doerner, Anna Mae (nee Streib),

Passed away on October 18, 2022, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Russell C. Doerner and son Paul Doerner. She is survived by her son Mark Doerner, and daughters, Krista (Mark) Sucher and Nancy (Jose) Vazquez; dear daughter of the late John and Ann Streib; dear sister of the late Harold Streib and Dorothy (Streib) Koester; cherished grandmother and great grandmother; dear mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and life-long friend to her beloved high school girlfriends, the “Chics”, and their families.

Anna Mae was born on August 6, 1930. Whether you knew her as Anna Mae, Ann, Annie, Aunt Anna Mae, Mom, or Gammy, knowing her made your life better.

 She grew up in South St. Louis, the middle of 3 children. She and her little sister, Dorothy, started attending the Unity Church in their neighborhood, forging a connection with Unity churches that continued the rest of their lives. At Cleveland High School, Ann became part of a social group known as the Chics, forming lifelong friendships. After graduating, she worked as a reservationist for Pan American Airlines in the days when tickets were written by hand.

During her working years, she went on a fateful blind double date, set up by her lifelong friend Do Reis. Ann was paired with Bill Yuede for the evening, but it was Bill’s best friend Russell Doerner who was smitten with Ann, saying she had a smile like Ingrid Bergman’s. After clearing it with Bill, Russell asked Ann out. Before long, he proposed to her in Tower Grove Park. They announced the happy news to the Doerner family with Russell’s father memorably shaking his head and saying, “I hope you know what you’re doing.” The marriage lasted 65 years suggesting they did, indeed, know what they were doing.

 In 1956, Ann gave birth to Paul and Mark. Overwhelmed by all the extended family who arrived to welcome the new family of four home from the hospital, Ann and Russ sent them all packing—and promptly asked them all back later that night, as the demands of caring for 2 infants hit home. 

Their daughter Krista arrived 22 months later, and Nancy completed the family in 1963. They settled into the suburb of Concord Village, making more lifelong friends through their neighbors on Courtwick Drive and Russell’s job at what was then D’Arcy Advertising. 

Ann always wanted to help and became a volunteer at both Children’s Hospital and, later, at her neighboring Pond Elementary School. But her world centered on taking care of her family through all the school projects, picnics, and parades, birthdays and holidays, and evenings spent with library books and the TV. Every Thanksgiving she loved hosting the entire extended family. Christmas, meanwhile, was all about baking dozens of varieties of cookies so everyone could have their favorites.

 There were family trips, including one memorable cross-country drive to California with all four children stuffed into the station wagon. One of their most daring was an adults-only 10-day sailing trip in the Virgin Islands, with their friends the Kovacics and the Yuedes, returning home with stories and memories they cherished. 

All who knew her found her smiling, caring, keeping up with her friends and family, reading her Daily Word and cooking/baking. She will be forever known to her grandchildren for her “Gammy waffles”. She will be forever missed by her surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the other family and friends who all loved her so. 

 Our entire family is so grateful for all the caring staff at Friendship Village, Chesterfield, the comfort provided by Promedica (Heartland) Hospice, and the prayers for peace and love provided by Reverend Jan Mourning, the prayer chaplains at First Unity Church, and Silent Unity.

A Celebration of Anna Mae’s life will be held at the Moto Museum, 3408 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103 on Sunday, October 23 from 10am – 11am. This will be followed by a Celebration of Life, 11am – 2pm, for her son, Paul, who passed just twelve days prior. 

A private burial will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date. 

Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of your choice. 

The family is being served by KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL.