Anne Gonski

Anne passed away at Serenity House on March 9 th. Born to Minard and CD O’Brien on August 27, 1934 in Denver where she spent 11 years before the family moved to Colorado Springs. Upon graduating from St Mary’s High, Anne chose to attend Rosary College in River Forest, IL. Her junior year, she attended Institut Les Hautes Etudes and the University of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland. This year abroad gave her a curiosity to explore the world as she traveled the continent and British Isles. Returning to Rosary, Anne graduated with a BA In economics. It was the classroom that called her to share her world curiosity. For over 35 years she taught and became a principal in her hometown of Colorado Springs. Summers were spent earning a masters while traveling throughout North and South America as well as Central America. She took a year’s leave of absence to teach for the USAF schools in. Cambridge England. As a charter member of the Colorado School Executives, she became a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, recognized for excellence in school administration. In 1973, she met a jr high principal, Jim Gonski. They married December 1976. Both still vital members of District 11, they explored the Rockies completing a cabin that Jim had begun years earlier. Travel and education were two passions the couple shared. Together they visited many lands and shores, always returning to their favorite vacation spot…their mountain cabin! In 2005, Jim passed away. In 2008, Anne moved to Santa Barbara to be near her sister, Jean. Becoming a resident of the Maravilla retirement community, Anne returned to her love of teaching, becoming a docent at the SB Museum of Natural History. She was also active in her parish at Old Mission Santa Barbara.