Annette L. Gruber, age 96, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2014, in Newark, DE. She was born April 4, 1918, in Sayville, NY, to the late William F. and Florence L. (Comstock) Pausewang.

Annette attended Buffalo State Teachers College, Buffalo, NY, and graduated in 1939 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, which promotes leadership of women. She taught math and English for several years. In 1942, she married Lt. Alfred A. Gruber. During World War II, she worked as a timer for testing artillery shells at Southwestern Proving Ground in Hope, AR. After the war, she and her husband moved to Charleston, WV, where 2 daughters were born. In 1954, the family moved to Orange, TX, where a son was born. Annette continued working in a volunteer capacity for education and women’s issues. She helped start a preschool, a chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and was a leader in Camp Fire Girls and the Lutheran Church.

In 1964, the family moved to Newark, DE. Annette became a docent at Winterthur in Wilmington, DE, joined the Wilmington Panhellenic Conference, and continued her involvement with AAUW, serving in various offices, including that of State President. She also became active in the Delaware Council for International Visitors (DELCIV) and hosted many foreign students. She was appointed by the governor as the Delaware representative for the National Council for International Visitors. She served on the boards of the Newark Symphony Society, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, various PTA’s, and the Scandinavian Collectors’ Club. She was a lifelong stamp collector with a special interest in Christmas Seals. She also enjoyed travelling, both abroad and to all 50 states, and boating, especially cruises with the Northeast River Power Squadron.

Annette is survived by her husband of 72 years, Alfred A. Gruber, daughter Carol Smith of Lake Geneva, WI, daughter Gretchen Cox and her husband Jim of Landenberg, PA, son Mark Gruber and his wife Mary of Landenberg, PA, sister Florence McNeill and her husband Harold of Centerport, NY, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life for Annette will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 701 South College Ave., Newark, DE 19713, with a visitation at 11:00 AM and service at 11:30 AM. Burial was held privately with immediate family present at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE. To send condolences, visit www.rtfoard.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution checks can be made to “St. Paul’s Lutheran Church” and sent c/o R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE 19711.