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ANN ROSENER Obituary

Ann Rosener Famous for her work as a photographer for the Office of War Information, documenting the role of women in the war effort during WW2, died at the age of 97 at her home in Menlo Park on May 19 after a short illness. She had a wry eye and took striking photos highlighting the sudden breakthrough of women in industry, performing work that had long been a male preserve. After the war she continued her work as a photographer for Time and Life. She was modest to the point that many of her longtime friends did not know about her extraordinary early prominence as a photographer. Ms. Rosener was born November 25, 1914, to Leland and Beatrice Sheeline Rosener, both of whom descended from California pioneers in the 1850s. She attended Girls' High (now Lowell) and Smith College, where she received her A.B. in 1935, beginning her long odyssey to independence from her privileged upbringing in San Francisco. Her time at Smith influenced her development as a staunch liberal and an independent thinker. There she discovered a love of poetry, abiding interest in photography, and appreciation of type on paper, passions that endured throughout her life. Rosener was briefly married after the war to Frank Perls, a prominent gallery-owner in Los Angeles, joining a circle that included Richard Neutra, Rico Lebrun, William Brice, and Hollywood friends including Edith Head and film executives Frances and Sidney Brody. During that time she worked on the film Around the World in 80 Days as well as others. From the 1950s on, her career centered on design. In 1951, she was commissioned to design the exhibition for the Borax Museum in Death Valley. After her return to the Bay Area, she worked as a graphic designer for the Stanford University Museum of Art, producing catalogs, posters, and books, and collaborating with Richard Diebenkorn, photographer Leo Holub, and many others. In 1977 she founded her press, Occasional Works. She edited, designed, typeset, and printed by letterpress more than twenty-five publications, including limited editions of poetry by Julian Bell, Thom Gunn, Constantine Cavafy, and many other writers. She collaborated with both acclaimed and unknown artists. Possessed of extremely high standards, Rosener was a discerning reader and consumer of culture. Young people were drawn to her forthrightness and her generous attention to their personal lives. She preferred to look forward rather than to reminisce, and to draw out others rather than to talk about herself. She also loved her slightly wild garden and was devoted to her feline pets. Ms. Rosener is survived by her niece Beth Rosener of San Miguel de Allende, and a coterie of devoted friends of long standing. At her request, there will be no memorial service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jun. 5 to Jun. 6, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Joy Redick

June 22, 2012

She was a remarkable woman.Brilliant, talented,witty,modest,independent--to name just a few of her wonderful qualities.

Barbara Warnock

June 12, 2012

Ann was a truly lovely woman. I met her through letterpress, but I am not surprised to see that she was accomplished in other areas as well. I regret that we won't be able to spend another afternoon sipping tea or lemonade together under the redwood trees in my back garden but if I ever accomplish half of what I set out to in this life, it will owe itself in part to her inspiration. I'll always remember you Ann.

June 9, 2012

I am so sorry she is gone I did a lot of work for her over the years and had great conversations with her about everything in life. She will be truly missed by everybody her knew her. Rob Simpson

Nancy Thomas

June 8, 2012

I will remember Ann's smile and quick witted greetings. RIP Ann.

Rob Browne

June 6, 2012

Really fortunate to have known Ann - to the extent she permitted. Remembering this fiercely independent, classy and modest little lady with her quick wit and humor, will always make me smile.

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

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