Rotarian of the Week 01-25-12

Our Rotarian of the week was born, raised and grew up right here in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attended St. Mary’s grade school in the old red brick academy, then went on to the new St. Mary’s high school, both of these schools are now gone.

After high school, this talented young lady attended college in New Rochelle, New York at Ursaline Women’s College.

Shortly thereafter she was named “Miss Frontier” and as she puts it ….”Gleefully transferred to the University of Wyoming where she graduated with honors in English. After graduating she won a scholarship to Boston College to study American Literature as a part of an American Heritage Program.

Our Rotarian of the Week’s first job was teaching English first to 6^th graders and later to 9^th grade students at Johnson Junior High School. She was paid $2,200 per year.

In 1951 Ann Smith was married to Clark Smith. Clark had been a pilot in World War II and was recalled into the Korean conflict. They were stationed in St. Johns Newfoundland and then later back in the states.

Ann says…. “Clark and I are the parents of seven wonderful children, five sons and twin daughters”. Their lives have been an adventure… some highlights include:

Clark was FHA Director for Wyoming, the family lived in Casper, then in Albuquerque, and then moved to the Bay Area of California

They purchased a Chevrolet Dealership in Martinez, California only to find out the sale was fraudulent. They had to sue General Motors to get their money back.

Ann entered the real estate business and ultimately became the first woman manager of a large real estate company 

Clark and Ann formed a company to sell government foreclosures by auction. These auctions took place in nine different states. Ann says…”These sales were always pretty exciting and sometimes ‘Harrowing’.”

Ann was sponsored into the Rotary Club of Cheyenne by her brother Bill Dinneen. She says “it was very special since my grandfather; father, and brother were all Rotarians. My grandfather W.E. Dinneen was a charter member of this Rotary Club of Cheyenne.”

Ann’s most memorable experience during her first Rotarian years was … working on the committee preparing for the annual Convention in Steamboat Springs.

After nine years of Rotary service Ann had to resign from the Club for personal reasons… but she missed her friends and the wonderful things that Rotary stands for… in 2009 she rejoined the Rotary Club of Cheyenne.

Ann says … “she very much appreciates being remembered for being 100% Irish and for being given the opportunity to plan the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in 2011.” Further… she says… I hope everyone knows what a fine community… as well as …international organization….Rotary is… and how precious the friendships are. 

Ann has recently put together a memoir of the Dinneen family and she is working on a memoir of her mother’s Connecticut family … the Mc Garry’s

In recognition of her lifetime of service to our Club, our Community, our State and our Nation, the Sargent at Arms will present Ann with a gift Certificate from the Club.

Congratulations Ann and Thank You!