Ann Schoonmaker Papworth

Our beloved mother, sister and friend, Ann Schoonmaker Papworth, returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, April 27, 2025 surrounded by her seven children. Ann was born to Jack and Ann Schoonmaker on August 1, 1942 in Amherst, Massachusetts, the second of five children, which included 2 brothers and 2 sisters. In 1948, her parents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and later moved to Logan, Utah. There, they continued to run a large chicken business, where Ann learned the value of hard work. Their family loved camping, listening to music, singing around the piano, and welcoming many into their home, including several of the Utah State basketball players for Thanksgiving dinners. Ann graduated from Logan High School in 1960, where she was involved in many musicals. As a university student, she was introduced to opera and enjoyed playing leading roles in Rigoletto and Cosi fan Tutte, among others. In 1964, Ann graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Early Elementary Education and a minor in Music. She loved her work as a second grade teacher.

Ann met Allan Papworth on a New Year’s Eve blind date in 1967 and the couple married in the Logan LDS Temple six months later. They moved to Portland, Oregon, then Eglin Air Force base, Florida, and finally to Salem, Oregon in 1971. There they raised their family of seven children, served in the church, and enjoyed many lasting friendships. Ann lost her dear husband 23 years ago, almost to the day of her death. It’s with grateful hearts we think of their happy reunion. The brave and whole-hearted way she approached her life without Allan was truly admirable. Ann had a great love of music and sang in community choirs, including Willamette Master Chorus and Festival Chorale Oregon for over 40 years. She surprised us all when she decided to sing in one last concert in the spring of 2024, well into her battle with cancer.

She served three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one in Sao Paulo Brazil where she learned Portuguese and taught music, one in the Salt Lake City, Utah Family History Department, and one in Salem, Oregon in the Addiction Recovery Program. She also regularly served in the Portland Oregon Temple over a span of 17 years.

Ann loved landscaping her beautiful yard, traveling, family history, and her morning workout classes. She was always anxiously engaged in a good cause and was lovingly nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny.” Ann had a gift for friendship and connecting with people – to know her was to be her friend. Most especially, she was loved and adored by her children and grandchildren.

Ann is survived by children Kathryn and husband Dan Lounsbury; Cheryl and husband Brad Benson; Patti Papworth; Carol and husband Ryan Folkman; Shauna and husband Wayne Brown; John Papworth and wife Sarah; Jeff Papworth and wife Megan; 27 grandchildren, plus spouses, and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings and in-laws, Nadine Schoonmaker, Bob and Kama Schoonmaker, Cynthia Bowers, Debbie Griffiths and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Ann’s dear friends who have supported her so well over the years and most especially over the past three years.