Ann Brecker, Esq.

Ann Claire Baxter Brecker, Esq., age 91, of Gladwyne, PA, formerly of Bala Cynwyd, PA and Cape May Point, NJ, passed on January 23, 2022.

Being a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother was only a small part of the extraordinary life of Ann Claire Baxter Brecker. After graduating from Rosemont College with a degree in Art, Ann immediately enrolled in Pierce Business School to pursue a career, something very rare for a woman of that time period. After working for several years, dear friends convinced her to go on a blind date and that is when she met the love of her life, Jim Brecker, a widower with three children. A year later they were married at St. Matthias Church, Bala Cynwyd, and moved to 125 Upland Terrace in Bala Cynwyd.  An additional 7 children quickly followed in the next 11 years.

After her youngest child, Bunky, started high school, Ann found herself at a crossroads. Deciding to get back into the workforce, she started a new career as a paralegal. Beginning her new career at a Philadelphia law firm, Ann began to notice that everything the lawyers were doing she could do, and she could do it better. So while still working full  time, Ann enrolled at Temple University Law School to be a full time student at night. She graduated in four years and after passing the bar, started working as an estates and trust attorney for PNC Bank for the next 12 years. After her beloved husband Jim died in 1997, Ann split her time between Bala Cynwyd and the place that would soon become her home for her last 22 years, Cape May Point, NJ.

While in Cape May Point, Ann immersed herself in many different activities such as being on the taxpayers and zoning boards, Good Samaritan Program at Our Lady Star of the Sea which entailed driving senior citizens to different appointments, and working on events for the city of Cape May Point such as Circle Day. She even spent time as a volunteer firefighter for Cape May Point. During the summer months, she was in charge of St. Agnes Chapel activities at the Point.

Ann remained in Cape May Point until March of 2021 when she moved to an apartment at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne. She was incredibly happy to be close to where she spent so many happy years growing up as well as with her husband Jim and family. The care that Ann received at Waverly Heights was second to none and her family is eternally grateful for all the staff who helped with her care.

The entire Brecker family thanks God for giving us Ann Claire Baxter Brecker. We are all so happy to know that she is finally back with her beloved Jim having a Seagrams 7 on the rocks (not a 7&7!).

Ann was the beloved wife of the late James F. Brecker; loving mother of Jim Brecker (Diane), Beth Plunkett, Chris Pizzi (Tom Ruggieri), Ann Miller (Mark), Michael Brecker (Lynnie), Maggie Antenucci (Rick), Kate Flanagan (Bob), Nick Brecker (Laurie), Bobby Brecker (Lorrie), and Andy “Bunky” Brecker (Lora).  Devoted grandmother of 32 and cherished great-grandmother of 30.  Survived by sister, Mary Lu Donnelly (the late Thomas) and predeceased by siblings, Helen Bode (the late Fred), C. Carroll Baxter (the late Stella), and John Baxter (the late Lyle).

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family, Saturday, January 29, 2022, 9:30 – 11:00 AM at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA  19004, followed by her Funeral Mass, 11:00 AM.  Funeral Mass to be live streamed by St. Matthias Catholic Church.  Click the following link to view Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM. https://www.saintmatthias.org/live-stream Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ann’s memory to St. Matthias Church at above address, would be appreciated.