Ann Tomatz

Ann Zander Tomatz of Boulder, Colorado died peacefully Thursday the 10th of August, 2023, at the age of 88. She was surrounded by her beloved children and grandchildren. Ann was born the 25th of February, 1935, in Madison, Wisconsin, to the late Arnold Zander and Lola (Dynes) Zander. The second of four children (Phillip, Ann, Karla, and Stephen), Ann grew up in Wisconsin, where she learned to play cello and piano from an early age and enjoyed summers with her family at their lakeside cottage. In 1953, Ann graduated from West High School, where she was “May Queen” of the senior class.
Ann entered the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in the fall of 1953, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in History while continuing to study music. At the University, she met her beloved husband, David. After their marriage in 1957, Ann moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in the union office of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and David entered the Navy and performed in the U.S. Navy Band.
In 1961, Ann moved to Laramie, Wyoming. She worked as a piano teacher and was an avid supporter of the music school at the University of Wyoming, where David worked as a professor and later became Department Head. Ann actively performed in the university symphony for many years and was instrumental in establishing the Western Arts Music Festival. During this period, Ann was famous for hosting wonderful and sometimes wild parties, which directly contributed to her developing many lifelong friends. While in Laramie, Ann gave birth to two sons, Michael and Matthew. The family loved the mountain west, especially winter trips to Steamboat Springs and camping in their little trailer, which seemed especially small when Presto, a large German wirehaired pointer, joined the family.
In 1984, Ann moved to Houston, Texas, when David accepted the position of Director of the University of Houston (later Moores) School of Music. Ann was a champion of the music school, where she was deeply engaged in fundraising, and, with her husband, eventually established an endowment for aspiring young musicians. Ann was also active in their Pearland, Texas, Country Place community, where Ann volunteered and was responsible for various local projects, including guiding a re-roofing effort for hundreds of homes. When David became gravely ill, Ann provided him extraordinary and loving care. They were married for 56 years, and Ann celebrated their 66th anniversary this past May.
In later years, Ann enjoyed spending time with girlfriends and continuing her passion for playing bridge, where she earned a reputation as a fearsome opponent and great partner. Ann was a courageous stroke survivor, spending the last six years of her life in Colorado being cared for by her children and many wonderful care givers. During this period, she especially enjoyed eating out, car rides, flowers, sports, and the occasional margarita or Manhattan.
Ann is survived by her son Michael and wife Heather (Ferguson) Tomatz and grandchildren Zachary (wife Sunju) and Sophia; her son Matthew and wife Lori (DiNardo) Tomatz and grandson Samuel; sister Karla Josephson and a large extended family.
Contributions in Ann’s memory can be made to the University of Houston. Checks may be designated to the David and Ann Tomatz Endowed Scholarship, University of Houston, Moores School of Music, 120 School of Music Building, Houston, TX 77204-4017.