PERSONAL HISTORY
Born: December 4, 1948 in Omaha, NE
Married: June 23, 1978 in Topeka, KS in a Jesuit Church
Pre-deceased by husband Brian Fowles, parents Stuart and Kathryn Egenberger, brother John Egenberger, mother-in-law Carolyn Fowles and beloved stray Michael Amyx
Survived by daughter Catherine Fowles (London, England), father-in-law Dexter Fowles (Kittery, ME), nephew Johnny Egenberger (Jackson Hole, WY), niece Leslie Egenberger Constable (Portland, OR), Matt Barnes (5-year stray), David Vidrine (Ville Platte, LA), The Knolls (Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington D.C. and Alabama), tiny Marvin (the dog) and MV (the 100-pound cat)
HUSBAND
Anne met Brian Fowles in an elevator at Kansas State University while he was working on his graduate degree and she was taking a summer course. She commented on the book he was reading at the time. They married 8 months later.
DAUGHTER
Anne was a supportive mother to Catherine and many of her friends. She dedicated her life to educating Catherine and always stressed the importance of a well-rounded college education. She supported her daughter in whatever she decided to pursue, no matter how risky. She would say at the start of each new adventure, “I can’t miss you because I’m too excited about you being there!” Anne loved Fordham University and was an avid supporter of Robert Minotti’s choirs, of which Catherine was a member for her entire college career. Anne also loved St. Luke’s Theatre and the zany adventures that occurred with the infamous genius Edmund Gaynes, and deeply appreciated the constant love and support from Pamela Hall. She was ecstatic to support Catherine’s next and greatest adventure yet: moving to London to pursue a theatre career there after three years of working in New York City, her favorite city in the world. Anne was proud of Catherine’s accomplishments, and was happy to attend the adventure whenever she could. When diagnosed with cancer, Anne said of Catherine’s future, “I just want to know how it all ends! I know that will never be possible, and I wouldn’t want it to be, but oh, how I want to be there!” Catherine is ecstatic that her mother will always be with her now, and when it all ends she knows Anne will be waiting in the wings to give her a running commentary on what has transpired.
MOTHER
Anne was a dedicated and selfless daughter when it came to her mother, Kathryn. She moved her mother to Florida in 2000 and took care of her until her death in 2005. When it was apparent that Kathryn was dying, Anne sat with her day and night and reminded her of the amazing life she had had. She recounted all of her favorite stories and trips, as Kathryn was also a great adventurer. Shortly before she died, Kathryn said, “Anne, we have to do my nails. I have to go to the party.” Anne made sure her nails were ready, and then threw a party here that surely rivaled the one her mother attended.
TEACHING CAREER
Anne taught for 40 years in Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana and Florida. She taught every grade, pre-K through seventh. She was a part of the Pinellas County School system for 15 years. She substituted in Pinellas County until she started teaching second grade at Kings Highway Elementary, and then first grade at Pinellas Park Elementary. Education was important to her, as was supporting and inspiring children. She always pushed them to fill the potential she saw in them.
A fellow lover of education, Brian had a Ph.D. in Modern European History and taught at the college level for Texas A&M and LSUE.
ABOUT ANNE
Anne was known for taking in strays, giving a home to cats, dogs and young people throughout the years. She was also famous for being a self-deprecating lady with awesome shoes. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church for 16 years.
She spoke lovingly of her travels to the West with Uncle Emil and Aunt Esther when she was a child, and loved her brother, John, more than anyone in the world. Anne grew up in Omaha and attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart through high school. She graduated from University of Nebraska, Kearney with a B.A. in Education and a minor in history. She completed most of a Masters in Education across Kansas State University, Kearney College, and Louisiana State University and A&M College.
THEATRE CAREER
When Catherine started doing theatre as a child, Anne would sit through the rehearsals with Catherine, and eventually got roped into helping with props. After that she was hooked, and began being props mistress independent of Catherine’s availability for shows. Her presence in the theatre community has been constant since 1998, working on dozens and dozens of shows at Eight O’Clock Theatre, Francis Wilson Playhouse, and St. Petersburg City Theatre. As fellow thespians can attest, she was very best at making prop newspapers. Anne also was a dedicated member of the Eight O'Clock Theatre committee for several years, always bringing a blazing insight and her self-deprecating sense of humor to the table.
A THEATRE RAT TILL THE END
The show Eight O’Clock Theatre was rehearsing when Anne passed away was La Cage aux Folles, and though she was not able to be prop mistress for the show, as always she helped wherever she could. The prop list for La Cage calls for a stack of plates with naked boys on them. (Only in the theatre.) When friends gathered at Anne’s house the day of her passing, on the table in plain sight… behold the “naked plates.” It brought a bit of laughter through tears.
FRIENDS WE’D LIKE TO THANK
Betsy “Queen of the World” Byrd, Gordon Chernecky, Lisa and Barb (“The Girls”), Linda and Leo, Kapil Verma, Miss Halley Hair, Sam “Mr. GQ” Reisman, Joseph Finocchiaro, Janet Tucker, Julie “Best Tech Person Ever” Johnston, Luke Hensley, Ronnie Farley, Colleen Boylan, James and Ro Grenelle, Jason Fortner, Fred and Micki Schumacher, and many, many others in her theatre family.
DONATIONS
Because of Anne’s strong belief in education, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Anne Fowles Education Fund.
Mail to:
Veronica Farley
3107 Hyde Park Drive
Clearwater, FL 33761
Anne’s husband Brian passed away while she was doing props and Catherine was playing Liesl in The Sound of Music in 2003. As Anne said to all of us at the time, and to Catherine as she went onstage: “The show must go on
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