Ann Barbara Opitz

Opitz, Ann Barbara (Nee Peters) Born Peacefully into Eternal Life at her home on Sept. 11, 2010 (9/11/10), surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born Dec. 13, 1914 (12/13/14), the only child of the late Maximillion and Anna Peters. Beloved wife of the late Douglas John Opitz, founder and president of the Wisconsin Novelty Company. Devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ann was a longtime member of Old St. Mary's Church, Milwaukee. She was a member of the MOPS, St. Ann's Society and chairwoman of the Sunshine Committee. The friendships she made there have sustained her for years. Her life was filled with ups and downs but those hard early years allowed her to develop her innate talent later in life. She was an accomplished seamstress, loved all kinds of needle work, especially knitting dish doilies "not dish RAGS". Ann is survived by her daughters, Judy (Paul) Stevens of Rubicon, WI and Janet Anthony of Charlotte, NC. Also survived by grandchildren, Kathleen (Jim) Downs of West Bend, Dr. Suzanne (Dr. Tom) Viggiano of Rochester, MN, Dr. John (Dr Lori) Heinrich of Mequon, Jeannine (Pat) Coughlin of Sugar Island, Douglas (Renea) Heinrich of Merton, Elizabeth (Jack) Loppnow of Oconomowoc, Christine (Eric) Stanger of East Greenwich, RI, Michelle (Neil) Fitzgerald of Towson, MD, Joseph (Janel) Heinrich of Madison, Carolyn (Tom) Arra of San Clemente, CA, Jennifer Heinrich (fiancé Dr. Will Szerenyi) of Delafield, Maxwell (Amy) Anthony and Mark D. Anthony, both of Charlotte, NC, Amelia (Kevin) Slater of Holly Springs, NC, Jaclyn Anthony (fiancé George Hage) of Raleigh, NC. Also survived by her 32 great-grandchildren, Colleen Schmitz, Alison (Scott) Hall, Jillian Schmitz, Ben, Joe, and Grace Viggiano, Joe, Max, Jack and Rachel Heinrich, Katie, Matt, and Ryan Coughlin, David, Andrew, Emma and Lily Heinrich, Nick, Sam, Blake, and Jordan Loppnow, Julia, Brayden, Danny and Jake Stanger, Owen and Luke Fitzgerald, Alex Heinrich, Sophia and Mia Arra, Selwyn and Gannon Anthony, and 3 more great-grandchildren are on the way. She recently met her first great-great-grandchild, Addie Hall. Visitation, Fri, Sept.17, at the Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial on Sat., Sept.18, at 10:00 AM, at OLD ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 836 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Procession to follow to Holy Cross Cemetery for Interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Old St. Mary's Church Fund, Mount Mary College Building Restoration Fund or Catholic East Elementary School appreciated.