Ann Ruth Traynor

On May 9th, 2026, God put his arms around Ann Traynor and lifted her home. After 7 days of recovery efforts from a sudden cardiac arrest, her pain could no longer be managed. For the last 2 days, hospice took over her care until she passed quietly and gracefully in the presence of her daughters. Her grandson Tom, and his wife, Emily, had just left her bedside and earlier that day she heard from her brother, Bob, and her son, David, on the phone.
Ann Ruth Hetzler was born on August 1st, 1934, in Ithaca, New York. She lived in Ithaca with her parents, Esther & Charlton Hetzler and her 2 younger brothers, Bob and Dick, until she married David B. Traynor of Plattsburg, NY in 1956.
The first year as an army wife took Ann & Dave to Rhode Island where she gave birth to her oldest son, David Michael. With the baby on a mattress in the back seat, they drove to their new home in Fort Bliss, near White Sands, NM.
By 1959, they were living in Massachusetts where her middle daughter, Catherine Ann, was born. By the time her youngest daughter, Carol Marie, was born (1964), she was living in Manchester, Connecticut and Dave was no longer in the army.
The next 10 years, Ann spent her days raising her 3 children in 3 homes in Pennsylvania, then back to Massachusetts, then Scotia NY followed by Albany NY. Ann filled her life with making each house a home, keeping food in the pantry and meals on the table, keeping 3 growing kids and a husband in clean and ironed clothes, getting the girls to dance lessons, becoming a brownie leader and later a girl scout leader, learning to sew, and getting her son to football practice. Rarely complaining and always fully committed and loyal to her family.
Summer of 1974 brought the biggest move of all…to Lewisville, TX, a northern suburb of Dallas. Once again, Ann coordinated the move, collected school and medical records, re-enrolled the kids in new schools and made the family’s first newly built house into a home. Four years later, both David and Cathy had left for college, and Ann was packing again for another move to a neighboring town, The Colony, Texas which was home for the next 30+ years.
With all the kids out of the house, Ann’s life changed significantly. She re-entered the work force; learned several new crafts such as ceramics, latch hook and macrame; and returned to her sewing machine. She also provided care for her newborn grandson, Tom, and was later hired to care for two young boys for several years, Tom & Taylor Brimer. She has remained friends with the boys’ mom, Tara, and has followed their lives to the present. Memorable events included a 25th Wedding Anniversary Celebration (1981), college graduations for all three children, two weddings (David and Cathy), the birth of two grandsons, Tom and Ansel, and a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration with renewal of vows in 2006. This period also came with two knee surgeries and two back surgeries along with all the rehab that goes with them.
In 2008 Ann and Dave were in downsizing mode in preparation for a move from a large four-bedroom home to a more manageable three-bedroom home in Loveland, CO. Ann loved the home there and found great joy in having less house to care for. She rekindled a friendship with her cousin, Ann Foley; connected with the new neighbors; and spent many hours with Dave discovering all that Loveland and the surrounding area had to offer. Their love and commitment to each other had never been stronger.
Then Ann’s life took a tragic turn in March 2014 when Dave unexpectedly passed away due to complications from heart valve replacement surgery. That wasn’t the script they had planned. Filled with shock, fear and mourning, she struggled to find a path without the love and support of her life’s companion for 58 years. She had never lived on her own before.
Later that year, it was agreed that she would move to the Chicago suburbs to be close to her middle daughter, Cathy. Shortly after her move, her great-granddaughter, Emma, was born. Her new life in Chicago started in a retirement community where she experienced living in her first apartment. Meals, cleaning, activities, utilities, a fitness center, entertainment and basic medical care were all provided within the complex. Each time she stepped outside her apartment door, her identity as an independent woman began to take hold. With prayers in hand each night, and God’s guidance each day, she learned new crafts including jewelry making, made new friends and started to feel comfortable in her new life.
In fall of 2019 Ann relocated to another retirement facility. The move was always part of the long-term plan, but COVID in 2020 was not. It took a huge toll on everybody, but for Ann it meant isolation from everybody (including family), no leaving her apartment building, no activities, no exercise, and meals alone in her apartment. Her severe loss of hearing made it difficult to talk to her on the phone, adding to the isolation. Somehow, she made it through but physically weakened and very lonely. Her spirits brightened quickly however, when grandson, Tom and his fiancé Emily announced their engagement, with the wedding scheduled for February 24, 2024. In August of that same year, Ann celebrated her 90th birthday at Cathy & Carl’s house with brother Bob, his wife Harriet, their daughter Heidi, the newlyweds Tom and Emily, great-granddaughter Emma and a houseful of friends. Until the final days of her 92nd year, she still showered, dressed, walked (with a walker) and kept track of events & appointments all on her own.
Ann will be remembered for her big, heartfelt smile; her selfless kindness; her extensive wardrobe of color coordinated outfits from her socks to her accessories; and her decorated walker reflecting every season change or holiday.
Waiting to greet her in heaven are her parents, Charlton & Esther Hetzler; her husband, David Traynor and her sister-in-law Carol Hetzler.
She will be dearly missed by all who know her, including her brothers Bob Hetzler (wife Harriet) and Richard Hetzler; children Dr. David Traynor, Cathy Rice (husband Carl) and Carol Traynor; Grandsons Ansel Traynor and Thomas Rice (wife Emily); and Great Granddaughter, Emma Rice. Also, her cousin, Ann Foley and dear friend Tara Hardwick.
Visitation will begin at 10am of May 28, 2026 at St Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 22333 West Erhart Rd. Mundelein IL 60060. Mass will follow at 11am. Both Ann and Dave’s ashes will be in a double urn and buried together. Their interment is scheduled for 1pm at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery, on Vattman Rd. in Lake Bluff.