Anna Barbara Orton-Hackmeyer's father, George Fisher Orton was born in Minnesota on October 11, 1891. Her mother, Anna Brogan-Orton, was born November 24, 1895 in Bronx, New York. George and Anna were married in Washington, DC on June 6, 1925. Anna Barbara, their first child, was born August 16, 1926 at Ladies Hospital in Deming, New Mexico. She became a "big sister" on January 8, 1928 when her brother James was born. Their family resided in El Paso, Texas before moving to Santa Monica, California when her father accepted a position as Vice President of a bank. My mother attended Santa Monica Junior High and later graduated from...
Anna Barbara Orton-Hackmeyer's father, George Fisher Orton was born in Minnesota on October 11, 1891. Her mother, Anna Brogan-Orton, was born November 24, 1895 in Bronx, New York. George and Anna were married in Washington, DC on June 6, 1925. Anna Barbara, their first child, was born August 16, 1926 at Ladies Hospital in Deming, New Mexico. She became a "big sister" on January 8, 1928 when her brother James was born. Their family resided in El Paso, Texas before moving to Santa Monica, California when her father accepted a position as Vice President of a bank.
My mother attended Santa Monica Junior High and later graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1945. During her high school years she was active in the USO. That's where she met her future husband, John Lilburn Mincer. Johnny was an S1 in the US Coast Guard during World War II and served aboard the USS Randall. Johnny and Barbara were married March 10, 1945. At the end of World War II, Barbara and Johnny moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and lived in an apartment in the city. Johnny drove a semi-truck for Wonder Bread, and later for ABF. On June 28, 1946 I was born, their only child. Soon after my birth we moved into a one bedroom apartment on Kilner Street in Jefferson Barracks. Several years later we moved to a larger apartment on Gorgus Street, also in Jefferson Barracks. When I was 10 years old our family moved to 2533 Lemay Ferry Road. My father passed away from a heart attack. My mother then purchased a house and moved to 2025 Telegraph Road where she cared for her mother and their 4 cats.
My mother was a Certified Nurse Assistant. She worked in the Emergency Department at Barnes Hospital for a several years before taking a position with Dr. David Feldman, a Cardiologist. She worked for Dr. Feldman for 25 years until her retirement.
I married Conrad Snyder on January 25, 1969. (Barbara always referred to Conrad as "Her favorite son-in-law".) Her first grandson, Timothy, was born May 30, 1976. Three years later, Andrew was born on July 12, 1979. She dearly loved her grandsons, enjoyed hearing their stories, and attending their activities.
My mother married Charles Wilmer, a retired Honeywell Engineer, on November 14, 1981. Charles was a Sergeant in the US Army during WW II. They shared a love for antiques and often laughed about an estate sale they went to in Northern Illinois where they found the farmer's chickens drinking from cut glass crystal bowls! Charles passed away July 10, 1987 from the complications of Alzheimer's Disease.
Several years later, Richard Hackmeyer entered my mother's life. Richard was a Captain in the US Air Force during WWII and the Korean War. After the wars, Richard became an attorney and later the Chief of Detectives for the St. Louis County Police Department. They married on August 31, 1988 and shared a love for travel going to Ireland, England, and on a cruise. Richard passed away April 16, 1999 from a heart attack.
In 2000, my mother moved to Cape Albeon, an assisted living facility, and in 2004 moved to Delmar Gardens Meramec Valley where she lived until her death.
Every day, I thank God that I was blessed to have her for my mother! I will miss her so much!
All my love, Kathy
In the arms of the angels, you will be celebrating Christmas in Heaven this year!!
You will find comfort and joy there!