Ann Salmirs, 92, of New York, NY, passed away on February 06, 2024 after a years-long battle with dementia likely caused by hydrocephalus.

Ann was born on May 31, 1931 in Brooklyn, to Sylvia and Murray Salmirs.   She was the middle child of three, and had an older brother, Seymour and younger sister, Eleanor.  Ann was briefly married to the photographer Lawrence Shustak.

Ann earned a BA in Biology from Brooklyn College, and, as a single mother living on Staten Island, she earned a Masters in Education from Richmond College, and later attended the William Alanson White Institute for Psychoanalytic Training.  Ann relocated to Manhattan in 1974, where she lived out the rest of her life while occasionally enjoying time in Santa Cruz and LA.  

Ann dedicated her life to service: she was the director of a day care center on Staten Island, then ran a women’s shelter in Brooklyn, where she worked tirelessly to save women and children from domestic abuse. She then started a career as an internal organizational consultant at ConEd where she retired in 2005 after 20 years of service.   Ann was a socialist; she was well-read,  and a fierce fighter for human rights and abortion rights.  She was recognized by the American Red Cross for her service in response to the events of September 11, 2001.   She was generous, funny and kind.  

She often visited her daughter in Europe and enjoyed a Semester at Sea where she visited China, India and Vietnam.  Ann was a Peace Corps volunteer in Latvia,  her father’s country of birth.  She hosted legendary parties.  She loved to go to the theater with friends, looking fabulous in patterned tights and outfits from Barney's, Century 21 or Housing Works.  She was a member of the NY Road Runners Club,  and ran many races in her beloved Central Park.  

Ann is survived by her daughter, Elyse Buehler, her son Paul Shustak, daughter-in-law Joanna Friedman, her beloved granddaughter Isabella and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and cherished friends.  Her memory is truly a blessing.   Her ashes are scattered in Central Park (near W.92nd and the reservoir), the Hudson River, and her son's garden in Los Angeles.  

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