Ann M. Maurer Bauer
Ann (nee Maurer) Bauer was born on June 17, 1961 to John and Mary Ellen Maurer. Ann died on October 13th after a two-and-a-half-year marathon with a gastrointestinal cancer.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her older brother, Tom (to esophageal cancer). She is survived by her husband Peter; much loved son Thomas; by her siblings Dan (Jackie), Joe (Janet) and Mary; as well five awesome nephews; four great-nephews and one great-niece; plus her stepdaughter Scholotte Gangl (Alex); and our three wonderful grandchildren.
Ann was taught the value of volunteering and service to others by her parents. As a youth, she participated in an ecumenical singing group, based in Novato, called the California Wind Children, who traveled to summer service projects, inspiring Ann to learn, try new things and go places to serve. She worked a summer in Indiana at Conner Prairie Pioneer Museum, where she wore a long dress, cooked over a fire, and learned the art of being an interpreter. She also enjoyed a summer working as a wilderness ranger.
She graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Natural Resources Interpretation and a minor in Appropriate Technology. After college, Ann served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay doing environmental education with schools in Itacurbí La Cordillera and in Honduras, serving on a new wildland management team “at the end of the road” on the edge of the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Dulce Nombre de Culmi, Olancho. She learned beekeeping in Paraguay and through inquiries at the Honduran Peace Corps office about who
could help, she met her future husband, Peter, also from the Bay Area. He had served as a beekeeping volunteer in Honduras and was training new volunteers.
On October 9, 1990, Ann and Peter married after courtship in the United States. Ann felt blessed to find such a loving, patient man who put up with her “crabbiness.” During this time, she also obtained her bilingual Spanish teaching credential at San Francisco State. She took a part-time educator job with The Marine Mammal Center, where she worked for 23 years, becoming the Director of Education. On January 9, 1998, her son, Thomas was born. He enjoyed many sandy adventures, especially becoming intrigued with bones. He has grown into a loving, caring man.
Ann worked with all ages, in classrooms and in the field, coordinating visitor exhibits, and established education programs with PIER 39 for their famous sea lions. In the mid-90s, friends from different states saw her on TV news shows about the sea lions - her only TV gig! PIER 39 is still Ann’s favorite place to see sea lions.
Ann left The Marine Mammal Center in 2013 to help with the care of four elders, including her parents. Since 2015, Ann worked for the City of San Rafael Volunteer Program, connecting people and doing service projects. Ann returned to leading coastal cleanups, as she had done for 26 years. She also served on the Board of the Environmental Forum of Marin fostering connections and learning.
Ann increased her personal community involvement by volunteering with Home Ground Habitat Nursery, clearing trash with the San Rafael Clean Coalition.
Ann enjoyed hiking in the Marin Hills with friends who once signed up for “Adventure Hiking” and they took it to heart! “Please pick up litter and do what you can for this beautiful planet. Enjoy loved ones! Do what you love! Don’t be caught short!”
Family and friends are invited to attend Ann’s funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 333 Woodland Ave., San Rafael at 10 a.m. on October 30. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Ann’s name to the Environmental Forum of Marin, P.O. Box 151546, San Rafael, CA 94915.