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Annemarie Sommer Obituary
Dr. Annemarie Sommer, passed away at her home in Columbus, Ohio on July 20, 2018. Born and raised in Konigsberg, Germany in 1932. Her family had to flee to other parts of Germany during the Russian occupation of the Baltic sea area post World War II. She escaped from East Germany and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950's where she worked in New York state and earned a general education diploma so she could attend college. She received her undergraduate degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio in 1960, working her way through school. She was accepted at the Ohio State University medical school and became interested in genetics during her training. She was board certified in Pediatrics and Genetics and worked her entire career at (now) Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She described her role as "the detective," who diagnosed genetic conditions in children and helped families understand the effects of the diagnosis. A long time resident of Dublin, Ohio, Dr. Sommer served as chief of the Genetics Section at the Children's Hospital for many years and was a professor in OSU's genetics and molecular genetics programs. She presented papers on genetics at numerous conferences and meetings during her career and her reputation as known internationally. She loved nature and the outdoors and was an avid swimmer and photographer. She will be missed by her beloved dachshund, Macy. She is survived by her brothers, Heinrich (Dagmar) Sommer, Walter (Brigitte) Sommer; her sisters, Ursula (Hubert) Schulz, Gerda Proske; nieces and nephews and many close friends and colleagues. A memorial gathering will be held at the Nature Center at Highbanks MetroPark on Thursday, September 20, 2018 from 4-6pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to your favorite charity. www.ohiocremation.org.
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Memories and Condolences
for Annemarie Sommer
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
David Tracy David and Kimberly Hatfield
March 17, 2023
Are family had the honor of meeting Dr. Sommer I believe 1996-97. We were sent to her, because a rare diagnosis that Dr. Batley thought are daughter Kimmy had. And Dr. Sommer did diagnose kimmy with Hypomelanosis of Ito. We were so happy that Kimmys disability had a name. Even if it was rear disability and because of that. We´ve been able to talk to other family members that have hypomelanosis of Ito. So thank for Dr Sommer for loving and caring for are family.. She was definitely a answer to are family´s prayers!!
John, Susan & Sean Youngkin
September 17, 2018
Our family had the honor and pleasure of first meeting Dr. Sommer in the fall of 1990. No nonsense, straight forward, honest, kind, compassionate and such a wit! Sean was a mere 9 months old when you called with the results Prader-Willi Syndrome, a rare non-hereditary genetic disorder for which little was then known. You helped us traverse turbulent early years and instrumental in us securing life saving growth hormone treatment. You kept an eye on us, checking in on Sean at every emergency admission, assuring us and calming our fears. Remember how Sean would beam with glee when he got to see you *Dr. Anna*? How he would wrap his arms around you and give you a hug? His excitement at showing off his wheeled walker and his first steps without it at age 4? His outward affection for you startled you, but children know Dr. Sommer. We knew too. Over the years, our paths diverged but we carried you always in our hearts for having played such a large part in Sean developing into the fine young man he is today and for helping us to be better parents. What an amazing life you led, Dr. Sommer. Hardships some might say, but to you only challenges to be overcome which you did with intelligence, grace and wit. No words can express the profound and abiding impact you had on our lives. The world is a better place because of you. We are a better family and better individuals because of you. God speed, Dr. Annemarie Sommer. God speed.
Missing You
marcia "diane" ward
September 16, 2018
Your presence remains with us on Saturday mornings (Walk With a Doc friends.) How blessed we are to have been taught by you, and loved by you. We are always your family.
Deborah Brienz
September 15, 2018
My condolences to Dr Sommer's family and friends. I will always remember how generous she was with her time--and no matter how busy, was always up for a coffee with house staff. Again, being generous and saying, "whoever gets paid the most should pay the most". She set the example for many good habits for us.
Nancy Gillilan
September 13, 2018
This beautiful lady taught me so much beginning in the 70's when I first met her at NCH. She explained everything in such an understanding way (genetics was always difficult for me) and her approach to the babies and their families was always with warmth and compassion. I remember following her any time that she was consulted about a patient and will never forget her coming to the delivering hospitals to see the babies so that parents who were extremely anxious about the news they had received (this was before US and amnios) would not have to wait until they saw her weeks later. She was one of a kind and has touched so many people! About 2 years ago I saw her in the hall at NCH and we hugged. I told her I wanted to ask her a question that I had wanted to ask for years and she replied, "What is that?" I said, what do you see when you look at me? She put a big grin on her face, laughed, touched my arm, and said, "You are OK". I was sure glad to hear that! She will ALWAYS have a big place in my heart! To the wonderful lady who did so much for so many, you will be greatly missed but always remembered!
Theresa Wee
September 7, 2018
Thank you for the love and support you gave me from the first time I came to interview for Pediatric Residency to the last time I visited you in Columbus , Ohio 4 months ago! Although I live in Hawaii , you have always been dear to our family. I will miss you , but your legacy of caring will live on in all the physicians you touched. Aloha 'Oe- or "farewell to thee " - until we meet again. Blessings and prayers to your beloved family in Germany.
Aric, patient 2006-2016
Heather Lust
August 22, 2018
Lynne Bird
August 19, 2018
Annemarie was a faithful participant and contributor to the David W. Smith Workshop on Malformations and Morphogenesis, and will be greatly missed by her colleagues. In addition to her contributions to understanding how birth defects occur, she tirelessly provided a photographic record of the meeting and its participants. We have many fond memories of being asked to smile for Annemarie's camera! Her memory will be celebrated at the 2018 meeting in Banff, Alberta, Canada. We know she will be able to hear our traditional hip-hip-hooray cheer. Peace to all who miss her.
S. Hashimoto
August 13, 2018
It was truly an honor that I got to work with Dr. Sommer. I learned so much from her. She had an amazing memory and remembered patients from ages ago. She was a great dysmorphologist and a geneticist. She had an amazing life journey that no many people can match. Truly will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
bruce meyer
July 31, 2018
Annemarie was a special person as well as a special physician. She certainly endured and overcame more obstacles than most of us could imagine. She was companion student, resident and staff member with me and I witnessed her sincerity, honesty, loving concern for all her patients as well as her as her vast expertise. Patients and their families always came first but her love and concern for her distant family was always present.
She will be greatly missed by all of us.
Kaye Tumeo
July 30, 2018
Truly a special doctor and incredible lady. Working with her was an honor and becoming a friend was a blessing. She will do be missed.
Gene Hoyme
July 30, 2018
Annemarie was a superb geneticist and pediatrician. She was my friend and colleague in genetics for more than 30 years. Her patients, children with genetic disorders and their families have lost a fierce advocate. We will miss her and mourn her loss from our community. Requiescat in pace my friend.
Dr. Sommer , Thank you for being a wonderful mentor. You taught me love and compassion and I have tried to practice this daily in my Pediatric career
Theresa Wee
July 30, 2018
July 30, 2018
A mother of a patient recently shared with me that she has a vivid memory of the day she first met Dr. Sommer when her daughter was undergoing genetic evaluation. After receiving the diagnosis, the mother asked, do I need to be worried about her?. Dr. Sommer looked her straight in the eye and simply replied: not with a mother like you. She still feels the impact of those words and the confidence they instilled in her in the midst of the fear and uncertainty surrounding a new diagnosis. That was over 20 years ago.
This is the kind of impact Annemarie had on those who were lucky enough to know her.
Her passing will leave a huge void for all those whose lives she touched. She was truly one of a kind.
Gretchen Parsons
July 30, 2018
A great soul has been lost. Many fond memories of our time together at Children's and beyond. My sympathy to her family and friends.
Kristen Buchholtz
July 29, 2018
So sorry for your loss. She was one of my doctors 30 years ago
Carol Huddleston
July 29, 2018
She was a great educator. Took time for us nurses to explain everything when trying to diagnose a condition of a newborn at OSU NICU. I would love to follow her. At our conventions I would go to every one of her sessions. We really have lost a wonderful caring down right caring and SMART lady. Rest sweet lady you deserve peace and all our my thanks for just being you Greatly missed. Carol Huddleston retired NICU nurse
Kay M
July 28, 2018
Annemarie was a wonderful woman and a true inspiration to many. I will certainly miss her at "Walk with a Doc" on Saturday mornings.
Rest in Peace,
Kay M.
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Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society - Columbus5464 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43214
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