Arlington, Mass. -- Ann (Elizabeth Koch) Schonberger, 81, professor, feminist, and beloved family member, died peacefully in her sleep on January 25, 2022. Ann was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Her parents, Philip and Gertrude Koch, instilled in her and her younger brother a deep commitment to education and doing things right. She attended Wellesley College, an institution she remained passionate about throughout her life, and then pursued a master's degree from the Harvard University School of Education. She returned to Madison and the University of Wisconsin in the mid-1960s to pursue graduate studies. It was there that she met her future husband, Howard Schonberger, a graduate student in history. Ann and Howard married in 1966 and were close life partners for the next 25 years. The couple moved to Maine in 1971 with their two young children when Howard took a faculty position at the University of Maine. Ann began working at the university and is thought to have taught its first ever "Women in Education" course in 1973. After finishing her Ph.D in mathematics education and teaching for many years as a faculty member at the University of Maine's University College, Ann became Director of the Women in the Curriculum and Women's Studies Program in 1991, a position she held until her retirement in 2013. Under her leadership, she grew the program to include a major, mentored women students and faculty members, and supported a statewide consortium that shared scholarship and ideas. Ann volunteered with Spruce Run (now Partners for Peace) for 35 years, where she directed her considerable organizational and fundraising skills to ensure that Maine's first domestic violence organization would be successful and sustainable. For her service to the community, Ann received the Maine Public Broadcasting Jefferson Award for Public Service (1988), the University of Maine Presidential Public Service Award (2001), and election to the Maine Women's Hall of Fame (2017).

Ann loved Maine, and would say to friends and family, "aren't we lucky to live in such a beautiful place?" She was a great cook and a committed activist and mentor. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, singing Christmas carols around the piano, attending services at Congregation Beth El, reading mystery novels, swimming, gardening, and being in charge. She was loved.

Ann is predeceased by her husband, Howard, who died in 1991 and her brother, Philip, who died in 2021. She is survived by two children, Lisa and Ben, and four teenage grandchildren, Sam, Mia, Leo, and Isaac. A memorial service for Ann will be held in Bangor later in the year. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to Partners for Peace, P.O. Box 653, Bangor, Maine, 04402.