Ann Marie (Fasano) Kaltschmid died June 20, 2015, at her home in North Brunswick with her family by her side. She was 68.
Born in New Brunswick, she lived in North Brunswick for over 43 years.
She was a human resource manager for Greater Media New Jersey in Somerset for over 20 years. Mrs. Kaltschmid was past president of the board of trustees of the North Brunswick Public Library.
Surviving are her husband, George V. Kaltschmid II; her two sons, George V. Kaltschmid III and his wife, Linda Warhaftig, of North Brunswick, and Kevin Kaltschmid and Kelly Bradford of North Brunswick; her sister, Rose Fritz and her husband, Frank, of Edison; her two brothers, Patrick Fasano of Asbury Park; and Casper Fasano Jr. of Monroe Township; her stepmother, Evelyn Fasano, of Monroe Township; and four grandchildren, Ashleyann, Cameron, Megan and Juliet Kaltschmid.
Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. June 26 at Selover Funeral Home, 555 Georges Road, North Brunswick, followed by an 11 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, North Brunswick. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick. Friends and relatives may call at the funeral home from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. June 25.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Place in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
This Special Olympics oath defines the essence of Corinne Hanko, a Special Olympics athlete and earthly angel who was called by God on June 6, 2015, to be with Him in His heavenly home following a courageous battle with leukemia.
Born in Edison, Corinne was a resident of South River for the past 36 years. She graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School and the John F. Kennedy Vocational Program. She was employed at ShopRite in Edison and then at Bayshore Community Hospital/Pleasant Valley Adult Day Care Center, Holmdel, for 9 years as a cafeteria and recreation aide. When this program closed, Corinne then worked at Special Olympics New Jersey until she became ill.
At age 8, Corinne joined Special Olympics, and this became her lifeline to sport development, peer socialization and community education. She excelled in alpine skiing, tennis, aquatics, bowling, bocce and cycling, winning many gold medals over the years. In addition, she was the first female Special Olympics athlete to participate in their annual Polar Bear Plunge. She graduated from Special Olympics Athlete University and was a member of their Athlete Congress. One of the highlights of her Special Olympics career occurred when she was chosen for Team USA and participated in the World Special Olympics Summer Games in cycling in 1995 and 1999, winning both silver and bronze medals. Her commitment to sports training and community volunteerism had her awarded the Special Olympics Bessie Pearlman Achievement Award in 2005. The climax of her Special Olympics career took place as she was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2014.
“You have touched me and I have grown” is what those who met Corinne will say when they remember her interactions. A contagious smile, a sincere hug and a spunky personal- ity with sparking eyes were the ingredients that she possessed. Her fellow athletes, co-workers and medical team all attest to her magnetic personality. She did not permit her disability to interfere with her commitment to enjoy life to its fullest. Corinne was a beautiful young woman who was able to demonstrate courage; experience joy; participate in sharing gifts, skills and friendship; develop sport skills; and most importantly, give back in the spirit of volunteerism.
She is predeceased by her grandparents, Andrew Hanko, and John and Eleanor Jacykiewicz. Surviving are her parents, Larry and Chris Hanko; her paternal grandmother, Irene Hanko; her beloved sister, Heather McCarron, and brother-in-law Terence; her nieces, Brigid, Margaret and Elizabeth; her nephew, Sean of University Heights, Ohio; her aunt and uncle, Joan and Jeff Onori of Middletown; her aunt and godmother, L. Hanko Rosenblad, and her uncle, Axel Rosenblad of Yulee, Florida; and many cousins.
Funeral arrangements were by Rezem Funeral Home, 457 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. A Mass of Resurrection was held at St. Mary of Ostrabrama Church, South River, followed by interment at St. Mary of Ostrabrama Cemetery.
Memorial contributions for Corinne may be made to Special Olympics Somerset County, c/o 47 Virginia St., South River, NJ 08882.
Visit www.rezemfh.com.