Ann Austin Somerville Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

SUTTONS BAY – Ann Austin Somerville, 87, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2021, with family at her side. Ann was born in Elgin, Ill., in 1934, and attended high school in Highland Park, Mich., where she met the love of her life, Bill Somerville. She and Bill graduated from Michigan State University together in 1956 and were happily married for almost 60 years. Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill; brother, Bob Austin, and sister, Jane Austin. She will be greatly missed by her children Cynthia (Doug) Stanek of Rochester, N.Y., Deborah Somerville of New York, Janice (Peter) Chambers of Traverse City and Bill (Kathleen) Somerville of Traverse City; grandchildren Eric (Missy), Sheila (John), Kim (Mike), Jackson, Nate, Owen and Jillian; great-grandchildren Sydney (Marcos), Selena (Sean), Kaitlyn, L.J. and A.J. (Colleen); and great-great grandchildren, Marcos Jr., Mayliz, Logan and Mateo. She and Bill lived in Atlanta, Ga., then raised their family in Farmington Hills, Mich. They bought a condo at Sugar Loaf and enjoyed many trips Up North. A job transfer for Bill led them to Frankfort, Ill., and in 1996, they retired to a cottage on Lime Lake in Maple City and a home in Venice, Fla., where they golfed, hiked, swam, and toasted many sunsets. Ann especially loved to organize dinners at Good Harbor beach, with singing around the bonfire and a hunt for the elusive green flash. Ann, “Grandma Sunny,” lit up the room with her smile. She loved her family and her many friends, but she also loved meeting new people. Just standing in line at the grocery store or riding a chairlift at Sugar Loaf was an opportunity to make a new best friend. She was a lifetime learner who spent as much time outdoors as possible (no lake was too cold). Whether she was at home or far away, she always found something interesting to see or do, and she shared her love of adventure with her family. She wasn’t content to sit on the sidelines and watch anyone head down the slide alone at the Great Wolf Lodge, for example—she was right there with them, enjoying the ride. Ann taught grade school and preschool, and after earning a master’s degree in special education from Oakland University in 1981, she tutored children with learning differences. She also worked for the Art Institute of Chicago for several years before retiring in 1996. She was active in the Presbyterian Church and was a lifelong member of Phi Mu sorority. She volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Leelanau Conservancy, and led Rally for the Cure golf tournaments in Venice, Fla., and at Sugar Loaf, raising money for breast cancer research. A celebration of Ann’s life will be held in September. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your memories with the family. The family would like to thank the staff of Medilodge of Leelanau for their loving care, especially during the Covid-19 shutdown. They would also like to encourage everyone to get outdoors to remember Ann — go for a hike, swim in the lake, toast the sunset.

Ann Austin Somerville

January 30, 1934 - August 14, 2021