Ann Komara

Ann M. Olejar Komara, in the presence of loved ones, peacefully entered her eternal rest on July 9, 2024.  Ann was born July 19, 1930, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Andrew and Maria Gonda Olejar (deceased).  The youngest daughter of immigrant parents, Ann had five brothers, John, Michael, Matthew, Andrew, and Joseph, and a sister Mary Loyan, nee Olejar (all deceased).  As she was over 20 years younger than her eldest brother, Ann grew up playing with her beloved nieces, Joanne Kernan (deceased), Jeanne Erme, and Marilyn DeSalle, who, along with her sister, remained her life-long friends.  Growing up on Center Street, speaking Slovak, and surrounded by a large family, Ann attended St. Elizabeth Catholic School, graduated from East High School, and enjoyed dancing, ice skating, playing cards, and taking trips. Kind, quiet, patient, and loving, Ann focused on her family and her faith throughout her life.  
As a young girl, Ann worked at Isaly’s Ice Cream Parlor in Youngstown, and after graduating from high school, she worked as a secretary in the Sears Department Store Offices. Always a beauty with style and elegance, Ann was named Youngstown’s Queen of the 28th Annual Slovak Day, sponsored by the Slovak League of America, on June 18, 1948.  She modeled for local boutique shops, such as Livingston’s and McKelvey’s. Even after marrying, she continued to model until she was asked to wear mother of the bride clothing. Still a young wife and mother, she was not yet ready to pose in “matronly” clothing, so she retired from the runway and modeled wigs for local salons.  When her children were in high school, Ann took a job at the Ohio Department of Transportation as a payroll and inventory clerk.  She worked for over 20 years; at her retirement, ODOT officials honored her with a party and gold bracelet.  
In November 1956, Ann Olejar married Donald Florian Komara at Saint Elizabeth Church.  Once they started their family, they built their own home in Youngstown with Ann keeping the construction accounting books with such meticulous professionalism that the bank’s loan officer thought the Komara family had a professional accountant.   A woman of strong and abiding faith, Ann raised her three children (Beth Ann, Donald, and Kirsten) in the Saint Christine’s Catholic community where they attended church and school and received their sacraments. She volunteered at the school as a homeroom Mom and at the library, reading to the children and organizing books.  She supported the Brownies and the Cub Scouts, baking for events, helping with crafts, and assisting at the summer day camps.  She spent hours with her children when they were very young, assisting them with reading, writing, and math.  From an educational specialist, Ann learned ways to set up games around the house so that her children could play, learn, and enhance their eye-hand coordination and balance. She emphasized education and told her children to “reach for the moon because you will always catch a star or two on your way there.” Not surprising that all her children graduated university and work in professional roles, which she considered her greatest life achievement. In fact, when her son played football at Virginia Military Institute, VMI, Ann and Don traveled to all his games. Ann always knew exactly where her son was on the field, even in the tackle pile.  For these football games, Ann would prepare crockpots with Slovak delicacies, such as haluski, kielbasa with sauerkraut, or stuffed cabbage, and kolache for dessert. After the games, the VMI football team would come over to the hotel to eat, many of them eating food that they never had tasted before. Ann knew how to throw a party.
Ann’s focus on her children also enabled her to support her husband’s education and advancements at work.  When Don graduated from Youngstown State University, he clearly told others that half of his degree belonged to his wife who worked so hard to create an environment that enabled him to work and study.  As he advanced in his career and continued his education, Ann ran a smooth household, hosted many family parties, and found time for activities with friends and in her community.  She participated in the Youngstown Junior Guild, a bowling league, and a card club.  Being quiet and graceful, Ann often surprised people with her skills at card games and Scrabble. Her skill with numbers made her an excellent Scrabble player because she always knew how to play the highest numbered letters.
After retirement, Ann remained active in St. Christine Parish, serving in the Infant Jesus of Prague Society and on the Bereavement committee, and volunteered on Election Days to work at voting sites.  Ann delighted in travel with her family or friends visiting Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Panama, Slovakia, England, Italy, and sites throughout the USA.  Her favorite pastime was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  
Predeceased by her husband Don, Ann joins him in God’s heavenly kingdom.  Always considering herself a wife and mother, Ann leaves behind her greatest work: her children, Beth Ann (Jack Curtis), Donald (Karen Parker), and Kirsten (Jim Rosacker); her grandchildren, Donald Jr (Jenn Lindeman), Ann (Brett Minnick), Katherine and Constance Komara, and Sonam and Pema Rosacker; and her great-grandchildren Penelope and Piper Komara, and Raelynn and Riggs Minnick. They mourn her loss. Ann will be missed by her nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.  
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at St. Christine Parish, 3165 S. Schenley, Youngstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Christine Parish School or Saint Christine’s Church.  Arrangements are being handled by Vasckak-Kirila Funeral Home Youngstown, Ohio.

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