Anne Frontier

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, Anne (Schwarz) Frontier, passed away with family by her side. She shared boundless love with her husband, Mike; her children, Kathy, Tony, and Joe; her daughter-in-law Christy; and her grandchildren, Hannah, Sam, Harper, and Finley. Anne brought beauty, compassion, and joy to the communities she served.

Throughout her 79 years, Anne was deeply present to all of the beauty and joy that surrounded her. Whether she was expressing words of appreciation for one of the everyday acts of love and kindness that she shared with Mike, recounting a perfect hug from one of her children or grandchildren, describing a golden-orange sunrise over Lake Michigan, or marveling at the stars in the vast night sky in Door County, she did so with heartfelt awe and gratitude.

Anne was born on July 18, 1944, in Aruba, N.A. to Charles and Grace Schwarz, where she was raised with her five sisters: Joan, Mary, Claire, Barb, and Laurie. She graduated from Lago High School in 1962 and then moved to the United States to earn her B.A. in Art from Rosary College in River Forest, Il.

Anne met the love of her life, Mike Frontier, in 1965. During their courtship, they volunteered together at a church in Chicago. When Anne went to study art in Florence, Italy that summer, Mike decided it would be good to visit his brother Bobby, who was living in Italy at that time. On April 29, 1967, Anne and Mike were married. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Racine, WI, to raise their family.

Anne loved music and art. She played piano, flute, and guitar and sang at masses, weddings, and funerals at St. Edward’s and St. Patrick’s churches, and at peace rallies and other community and social justice events in Racine. She was a talented painter, sculptor, weaver, and banner maker and enjoyed taking classes at the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and at the Clearing in Door County.

Anne had a gift for sharing compassion and care for others. She was Campus Minister at St. Catherine’s High School, where she planned liturgies and intuitively knew how to provide just the right words of encouragement or an empathetic ear to students in Angel Alley. In 1994, Anne became a massage therapist. Five years later, she co-founded, and then ran the Wisconsin Institute of Natural Wellness, where she taught and trained hundreds of students to become licensed massage therapists.

Anne loved celebrations with Mike, her family, extended family, and friends; sharing a cup of coffee, a long meal together with Jim, Kathi, Mim, and Lil, playing cards and board games, singing around the campfire, reunions with friends from Aruba, and hosting parties on the back patio. Every year, Anne counted the moments to the “Egg Party”, Schwarz family reunions with her sisters and their families, summer gatherings on Europe Lake in Door County, Thanksgivings around the biggest table possible, decorating the Christmas tree, and the Discussion Group’s New Year’s Eve parties.

There were fewer words in her final years. But her heart could still easily find those that mattered most. She bathed Mike, her family and friends, and her caregivers in words of grace, love, and kindness until her final days.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Siena Center Chapel, 5635 Erie Street, on Saturday March 23, 2024, 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Juan Manuel officiating. visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday March 22, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00p.m. and at Siena Center on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until time of Mass. Gifts in Anne’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Wisconsin through alz.org or to Our Harmony Club at ourharmonyclub.org.

Mike and the family would like to share their gratitude to the countless family and friends who showed care for Anne while she was homebound and to Senior Helpers, DART Transport, and the volunteers and new friends she made at the SPARK Program and Harmony Club.