Anne Louise Chontos, 89, originally of Mayfield Village, Ohio and recently relocated to Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully on Monday, the first of April. She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, James, with whom she had three children: Linda Anne Warner (Robert), Judith Anne Komorowski (Timothy) and Karen Anne Chontos. She was the loving grandmother of Matthew (Monica) Warner, Christopher (Loren) Warner, Amanda Warner, Joy Warner, Timothy (Stacie) Komorowski, Jill (Dan) Komorowski Sverapa and Janna Komorowski and great grandmother to Ruby Warner. In addition, a great-grandson was welcomed into the family days after Anne's passing on April 4th to her grandson, Timmy (Stacie).

Born February 27, 1930, in Garfield Heights Ohio, the daughter of Fred and Lisette (Jung) Kraus. Anne attended Garfield Heights high school and after graduation worked as a secretary at Republic Steel. When not working, Anne and her friends enjoyed skating at the roller rink in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. On one particular occasion, the wife and owner of the rink called Anne aside and pointed to a young man sitting on the bench. She told Anne, "Go over and ask him to skate." She did, and that young man eventually became her husband, James.

Jim and Anne dated until Jim was called into military service during the Korean War. Anne wrote Jim a letter each and every day when he was in the service except for one day when she was ill. After returning from his tour of duty, Anne and James married on November 15, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio. Anne continued working, now as secretary to George Seltzer at the Cleveland Press, until the birth of their first child. Anne then left her job and focused on raising her children. She returned to work in the early 70s as a clerk for the Ohio BMV until she retired in the early 90s.

Throughout her life, Anne was a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother and friend. Naturally nurturing, everyone received her love and attention; husband, children, grandchildren, family pets--from hamsters, to dogs, to horses. With a fondness for shopping, no matter the occasion, Anne made sure everyone had the exact gift they wanted. She was even careful not forget the pets at Christmas. A simple visit to see the grandkids was an act of kindness and love when she filled her pockets with candy causing gleeful shouts of "pockets, Grandma, pockets" whenever she walked in the door. And, for others who walked through her door, there were treats as well. Renown for her cooking skills, you would be offered delicious homemade food served with her unmistakable smile that lit up her face and spilled from her sparkling blue eyes.

This love and openness that Anne shared with her family and friends extended to strangers as well. Her uncanny ability to make friends in the simplest of interactions was a hallmark of personality. While Anne enjoyed many friendships over her lifetime, she remained closest with her dearest long-time friend of over 50 years, Maria Petralia. And even though Anne had no siblings of her own, she was fortunate to have a close and sister-like relationship with her cousins Mary (Kiedaisch) Dunton (deceased) and Ruth (Kiedaisch) Noud.

In addition, both Anne and James were surrounded by a wonderfully kind and supportive "neighborhood family" on Hickory Hill Drive during the 50 years they lived there. This family was especially meaningful after Anne suffered a devastating and debilitating stroke in March of 2007. Many of those have passed on but remain in our hearts as well.

Anne enjoyed bright colors, especially mauve, aqua and pink; to celebrate her life, family and friends are welcome to wear bright colors on April 6th. Details of her memorial services on April 6th are listed on the Shives website. Services will also be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person. We know that memorials to the American Heart Association, the ASPCA, or a charity of one's choice would have been greatly appreciated by Anne.

Mrs. Chontos is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, James Alexander Chontos; three children, Linda Anne Warner (Robert) of Cleveland, OH, Judith Anne Chontos-Komorowski (Timothy) of Columbia, and Karen Anne Chontos of Cleveland, OH; seven grandchildren, Matthew Warner, Christopher Warner, Amanda Warner, Joy Warner, Timothy Komorowski, Jill Komorowski Sverapa, and Janna Komorowski; as well as a great-grandchild, Ruby Warner.

The funeral service for Mrs. Chontos will be held at 3 o'clock Saturday, April 6th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 2 o'clock.