Joann L. Schultz

Joann Leah Annie Schultz, 69, of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Port Charlotte, Fla., died Sunday evening, April 6, 2008, following a brief but brave fight with cancer.

She was born Joann Leah Seese, an identical twin to sister Joyce, Aug. 30, 1938, in McKeesport, Pa., to George M. and Martha M. (nee Frommell) Seese.

The Seese family moved to Florida from their native Pennsylvania when Joann and her sister, Joyce, were young. While living in Bradenton, Fla., and attending Manatee High School, where she would graduate in the Class of 1956, Joann Annie would meet, and two years later in 1957, marry the love of her life, Harold E. Rod Schultz, and together raise two sons. A hardworking woman, Joann began a career in nursing while still in high school, and would go on to finish nursing school after graduation.

Moving to Punta Gorda in 1962 with her young family, she continued work in nursing, but eventually took on new challenges, working as a meat cutter in several local grocery stores; co-proprietor of an antiques store, a sandwich shop and a pet-grooming business; and developed a longtime passion for dogs into a career as a professional dog breeder. Among her favorite pastimes were spending time with her family, especially her sister, Joyce; poker, for which she was given the nickname Penny Annie; antique collecting; and bingo. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 58, and was of the Methodist faith.

She is survived by her loving twin sister, Joyce (Ed) Ponger; beloved son, Ross G. (Dawn) Schultz; beloved grandson, Brandon R. Schultz; step-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Timothy, Sarah and Zachary; nieces, Allyson Karnes, Sue Bogardus and Marianne White; cousin, Robbie Cavender; and several brothers, sisters-in-law and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; youngest son, Martin Wayne Marty Schultz; and husband of 47 years, Rod.