Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
Jones Geneaology Report 2024.02.18 - Person Sheet
NameAnn Christina Dahl
Birth13 Sep 1958, La Mesa, California
Death7 Jul 1998, California
BurialGreenwood Memorial Park San Diego CA
FatherVernon Dahl (1918-2006)
MotherRuth Catheryn Kalinowski (1920-1962)
Misc. Notes
Ann Guenther founded group for stroke victims.
Ann Christina Guenther was a 33-year-old receptionist with two young daughters when she suffered her first stroke -- a rarity for a woman her age.
Two years later, struggling with impaired eyesight, she suffered another stroke -- this one resulting in partial paralysis.
"Learning to walk again was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life," she said.
Because of her relative youth, Ms. Guenther felt that she had little in common with the mostly older stroke patients in the support groups whose meetings she attended in the San Diego area.
Joining fellow stroke survivor Lee Price, who was 46 when he suffered his first stroke, she founded Young Enthusiastic Stroke Survivors in 1995 at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
Ms. Guenther, who saw the support group grow from six people to more than 300 in the last three years, died Tuesday at Grossmont Hospital. She was 39.
While battling the effects of her strokes, Ms. Guenther developed a blood disorder, and she was diagnosed with leukemia in June.
"She was the Lady Di of the stroke survivor group," said Sue Benson, one of the original YESS members.
Said Price: "Her smile reflected our mission."
Ms. Guenther, Benson and Price were honored at the eighth annual Victories of Spirit ceremony May 14 by Sharp HealthCare Rehabilitation Services.
The three YESS leaders received Eagle Spirit community awards, which honor the achievements of patients faced with unusual challenges.
"YESS has grown into our largest support group and filled a tremendous void for Ann and others," said Eileen Cornish, a spokeswoman for Sharp HealthCare.
The average age of YESS members is 38, with an age range of 9 to 62. YESS meetings are held monthly.
Ms. Guenther, a Santee resident, was a San Diego native.
She continued working for Johnson Controls Inc. in San Diego after her first stroke while she underwent rehabilitation.
The second stroke forced her to quit work and focus even more on her rehabilitation, Price said.
Ms. Guenther discussed stroke prevention as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and performed with Sharp Players, a group of disabled people who stage plays.
She was divorced after her stroke. Her daughters, Melissa, 12, and April, 10, lived with their father in the Midwest.
She also is survived by her father, Vernon Dahl of La Mesa; a sister, Pamela Davis of El Cajon; and two brothers, Ralph Dahl of Lakeside and Douglas Dahl of Encinitas.
A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in El Cajon. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Donations were suggested to the Ann Dahl Guenther Scholarship Fund, 8525 Gibbs Drive, Suite 302, San Diego, CA 92123.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Saturday, July 11, 1998.
Ann Christina Guenther was a 33-year-old receptionist with two young daughters when she suffered her first stroke -- a rarity for a woman her age.
Two years later, struggling with impaired eyesight, she suffered another stroke -- this one resulting in partial paralysis.
"Learning to walk again was the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life," she said.
Because of her relative youth, Ms. Guenther felt that she had little in common with the mostly older stroke patients in the support groups whose meetings she attended in the San Diego area.
Joining fellow stroke survivor Lee Price, who was 46 when he suffered his first stroke, she founded Young Enthusiastic Stroke Survivors in 1995 at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
Ms. Guenther, who saw the support group grow from six people to more than 300 in the last three years, died Tuesday at Grossmont Hospital. She was 39.
While battling the effects of her strokes, Ms. Guenther developed a blood disorder, and she was diagnosed with leukemia in June.
"She was the Lady Di of the stroke survivor group," said Sue Benson, one of the original YESS members.
Said Price: "Her smile reflected our mission."
Ms. Guenther, Benson and Price were honored at the eighth annual Victories of Spirit ceremony May 14 by Sharp HealthCare Rehabilitation Services.
The three YESS leaders received Eagle Spirit community awards, which honor the achievements of patients faced with unusual challenges.
"YESS has grown into our largest support group and filled a tremendous void for Ann and others," said Eileen Cornish, a spokeswoman for Sharp HealthCare.
The average age of YESS members is 38, with an age range of 9 to 62. YESS meetings are held monthly.
Ms. Guenther, a Santee resident, was a San Diego native.
She continued working for Johnson Controls Inc. in San Diego after her first stroke while she underwent rehabilitation.
The second stroke forced her to quit work and focus even more on her rehabilitation, Price said.
Ms. Guenther discussed stroke prevention as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association and performed with Sharp Players, a group of disabled people who stage plays.
She was divorced after her stroke. Her daughters, Melissa, 12, and April, 10, lived with their father in the Midwest.
She also is survived by her father, Vernon Dahl of La Mesa; a sister, Pamela Davis of El Cajon; and two brothers, Ralph Dahl of Lakeside and Douglas Dahl of Encinitas.
A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in El Cajon. Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park.
Donations were suggested to the Ann Dahl Guenther Scholarship Fund, 8525 Gibbs Drive, Suite 302, San Diego, CA 92123.
San Diego Union-Tribune, The (CA) - Saturday, July 11, 1998.