Anna Z. Shotwell, a longtime resident of Blairstown, passed away on February 28, 2023 at the age of 77, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Breitenau, West Germany to Ukrainian holocaust survivors Iwan and Efrosinia (Bassarab) Zibulnik on February 24, 1946. When Anna was four, her family boarded the ship “General Hersey” in Bremerhaven and emigrated to the United States. After some time in Newark, her parents moved the family to Port Murray. After graduating from Hackettstown High School, Anna worked as a short order cook at the Crossroads Diner in Belvidere, where she met the love of her life, David, and quickly started a family in Blairstown.
After being a homemaker until her children were in school, Anna was a staple at her family’s hardware store for many decades until her retirement. There she was known to many as the “plant lady” and the know-it-all behind the counter who would tell customers what they needed and why they needed it. Her strong opinions made her an ardent fan at her childrens’ extracurricular activities. Whether it be marching band, softball, baseball or soccer, Anna was always a vocal spectator. At times, her zeal was muffled by officials who removed her from the sidelines, where she was relegated to her car, from which you could still hear muffled shouting.
Later in life, Anna loved gardening, watching the wildlife from her kitchen window and visiting the occasional thrift store or flea market to add to her ever-growing collections. She and David would frequently travel long distances to visit family and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, David; three children, daughter Anna Marie Osland and husband David of Pocatello; daughter Stacey Ritchie of Hackettstown; and son Joseph and wife Laura of Templeton, Massachusetts. Anna is also survived by her brother G. Michael Zibulnik of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; sister Alexandra Kuhnsman of Hackettstown; and her three grandchildren Robert, Devin and Danica.
Family and friends are welcome to visit on Sunday, February 5, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Newbaker Funeral Home, 200 Route 94, Blairstown.
Funeral service will commence at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 6, in the funeral home.
Interment to follow in Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Blairstown.
Donations can be made to the Blairstown Ambulance Corps, 108 Route 94, P.O. Box 389, Blairstown, NJ 07825.