Ann Maureen Gaspers

Ann Maureen Gaspers

January 21, 1940 – May 8, 2024

Wenatchee, WA

Ann Maureen Gaspers passed away peacefully on May 8, 2024, surrounded by her children.

Ann was born to Vere Young McDowall and Thelma (Dood) Truswell McDowall on January 21, 1940, in the middle of a snowstorm in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Her expectant father was found watching a hockey game, and once at the hospital, was reprimanded by sister Margaret, a nurse, for not being with Dood.

The family lived in Sheep Creek, British Columbia, until Ann was three years old, and then moved to Retallack, British Columbia, for her father's job as a manager of the Kootenay Belle Gold Mine. While their Sheep Creek home was dismantled and moved to Retallack via the railroad, the family lived in the top level of the cook house. Ann recalled sitting in the stairwell watching the cooks during meal time, and so began her love of cooking.

An isolated locale, Retallack was an outdoor adventure wonderland. The community created their own entertainment; Ann remembered skiing on the homemade ski hill with a rope tow and creating a holiday play with costumes made from tissue and crepe paper. Ann did not acquiesce to the term "I'm bored," from her children, and they learned to make their own fun.

Ann's early education took place in Retallack's one-room schoolhouse. With the promise of a horse, the family moved to Wenatchee, WA, when Ann was in 9th grade. Ann and her horse, Wauconda (Condie) joined the Appleatchee Riders drill team and performed in parades and festivals.

Graduating in 1957 from Wenatchee High School, Ann briefly attended the University of Washington before moving to Minnesota to earn her Med Tech certificate. Returning to Wenatchee, she worked at the Eye & Ear Hospital and began dating her future husband, Joseph W. Gaspers. A trail ride was a requirement to test her dates and Joe passed the test- albeit a bit sore! They were married on August 24, 1963. They enrolled at the University of Idaho in 1963, where Ann earned her BS in Bacteriology. Their son, Brett, was born in December of 1964, and they then moved to the Seattle area.

In the early 1970's, with the addition of daughter, Megan, the young family moved back to Wenatchee. Ann became active in the PTA, Mobile Meals, and Community Concert, in addition to being a Cub Scout leader and 4-H Bluebird leader. Ann later owned The Cupboard, a kitchen store in the Wenatchee Valley Mall, to share her love of cooking with the community. Ann took advantage of fruit brought home from test orchards at the WSU Tree Fruit Research Center and canned, leathered, and made pies from any type of fruit. A sign of the holidays was the making of her delicious Canadian fruitcake. Unlike the counterpart in the States, this rum-soaked dessert was coveted and devoured, and still made by daughter, Megan. Equally important to any breakfast gathering were Kolaches, a Gaspers family recipe, that Ann perfected.

Ann and Joe joined the Wenatchee Appalarians in 1986. When Joe was Chancellor in 1994, the two traveled to many Northwest Festivals besides the Apple Blossom Festival; the Rhododendron and Daffodil Festivals were highlights of the season for Ann. Social gatherings served as a vehicle to try new recipes.

Ann volunteered up until age 80 for Mobile Meals, being one of the few who would drive during snowy weather.

Ann will be dearly missed by her children: Brett (Pam) and Megan (Al); four grandchildren: Klara, Gretchen, Mac, and Scout; her favorite cousins: Jocelyn and Karen; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Ann was preceded in death by Joe, her husband of 60 years; her parents: Vere and Dood McDowall, Joe and Grace Gaspers; and her favorite uncle, Bud Truswell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cancer Care of North Central Washington, 1708 Castlerock Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801, or Mobile Meals of Wenatchee, P.O. Box 1343, Wenatchee, WA, 98807-1343.