Ann Helmuth Allard (1950-2017)
Ann Helmuth grew up on Cedar Hill in Cleveland, where as a child she could watch steam locomotives and count the coal cars rumbling by. The rapid transit runs there now.
Her father Don worked at Linderme Tube, and her mother Ruth Walter was the archivist at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU).
Ann graduated from Euclid High School in 1968 before going to Case Institute of Technology, where she earned a B.S. in mathematics in 1971. She then continued at CWRU on to achieve an M.S. in Library Science in 1973, an M.S. in Health Science Education in 1975, and a Ph.D. in Information Science in 1977. She was youngest of the 11 cousins on her mother’s (Walter) side and the only one to receive a Ph.D.
She founded Chagrin Consulting Services (CCS) located in Beachwood in 1993. Since 2004, CCS has been 100% woman-owned. Its values are promise-keeping, truth-telling, and grace in dealings with all people.
Ann’s uncle Carl W. Walter, M.D. taught surgery at Harvard Medical School and was the inventor of the plastic blood bag. She is survived by five of his six children: Carl F. Walter, M.D. of North Granby, CT; Martha LeRoy of Center Harbor, NH; David Walter of Stratham, NH; Linda Van de Caar of North Hampton, NH; and Margaret J. Rice also of North Hampton, NH. On her bucket list was a visit to see her eastern cousins, but it was not to be.
Her uncle Paul W. Walter co-founded the law firm of Walter-Haverfield in Cleveland. She is also survived by his two children: Susan W. Cargile of Beachwood, OH; and “Tim” Paul Walter Jr. of Plainfield, MA.
Her uncle Armin worked for the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation in Columbus. His two children, George Walter of Olympia, WA; and Virginia Walter of San Luis Obispo, CA also survive her.
On her father’s side, Ginny Cunningham of Upper Arlington, OH survives her.
Ann loved cats and hiking in the woods. For many years she traveled with her cousin Tim to Columbus in May for her uncle Armin’s birthday and in October to Connecticut to visit Trudy Hall Lamb, her mother’s roommate at Radcliffe.
Ann used to say her birthday was easy to remember, “10-10-50.” She died suddenly, at home alone with her two cats, just 18 days shy of her 67th birthday, on 22 Sept. 2017. The official cause of death was listed as Hypertensive Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.
There will be a remembrance and celebration of Ann’s life on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 2 to 4 pm at the DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home, 4600 Mayfield Rd. (just East of Green Rd.), South Euclid.
In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to CWRU, Extended Housing in Painesville, or Stay Awhile Cat Shelter in North Royalton.
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M. Joan Mallick
Ann was my husband’s office mate for many years. She was kind to him to the extent thar I used to tease him that she was his daytime wife.
I had dinner with Ann the evening before she passed. The entire weekend I was thinking about her and my late husband and crying as much as when he died last year. I did not find out about Ann until Monday morning. The news explained my mood over the weekend. I think she was trying to tell me she was with Martin and would continue to take care of him. I miss them both terribly.
Dawn Swit
Ann was a colleague and a friend. She had a long and prolific career in Information Technology and her network of IT professionals in NE Ohio was extensive. In the early years of her career, she was a highly technical programmer and systems analyst. She then moved into various management and leadership roles at Systemation, a Cleveland-based consulting firm, and Capgemini, a large global IT services company.
Ann found her true calling when she founded Chagrin Consulting Services in 1993. Along with her two trusted partners in the business, CSS became a boutique consulting company with a hands-on approach and a focus on quality in recruiting and project-based services. CSS has served many companies and technology professionals throughout NE Ohio, including some of the largest IT shops in town. Ann’s hard work and dedication to her clients helped CSS remain successful for over 24 years! CSS was truly her “baby” and the highlight of her long and successful career in IT. Her legacy and spirit will now continue in CSS and the excellent work they do.
As mentioned in her obituary, Ann loved cats. She would often share stories and pictures of her kitties, and I always loved hearing the latest story or silly thing the cats did to make her laugh. Earlier this year, her elderly cat had passed away after a long illness. Ann decided then that the house was too quiet without a cat and made the decision to adopt again. She ended up rescuing not one but two cats from the Cleveland APL. The energy and fun the kitties brought to her home gave Ann great joy. I’m comforted knowing she had this happiness in the final months of her life.
Ann had many friends and colleagues, and several close friends with whom she spent her time and shared in her passions and interests. She will be missed by many and remembered fondly by all who knew her.
Lee Hopkins
I met Anne 20 years ago at a telecom company where I worked and she consulted. We quickly became friends, finding many areas of common interest, especially literature, the metroparks and cats. After we each moved on to other opportunities we saw each other infrequently, but I remember many moments of good conversation and laughter, a few times shared over Thanksgiving dinner, but most often over lunch as the years went by. She would often email a kind thought on the meaning of friendship, or a funny picture, usually involving cats — or skunks mistaken by children for cats! Anne was a kind friend and loyal confidant, and I will sorely miss her. My deepest condolences to her family.
Kind regards,
Lee
David Stitt
Ann was a wonderful and caring person. She was also a determined, hard worker. I am fortunate to have worked with her some years ago, and I am a better person for the experience. She leaves this life having made many friends, and indelible contributions. I hope she is at peace.
maureen ford
We will miss Ann – kind & generous, & her signature chocolates at Christmas! Condolences to Fred.
Love,
Drew, Maureen & Kasha
Tim Walter
Ann had a hard life. Her mother had breast cancer when Ann was only 3. Our uncle Carl came to Cleveland to oversee the surgery on his younger sister Ruth, Ann slept on the twin bed in my room while her mother was in the hospital. Carl saved Ruth’s life, who lived until 1997 when she died of a heart attack.
Ann’s father Don died in 1966 when Ann was only 16. But undeterred, she went on to graduate from Euclid High in 1968 and then get 4 degrees, including a Ph,D.from Case Western Reserve University
After her mother died, Ann remained faithful to her uncle Armin and her mother’s friend since college, Trudy Hall Lamb. She made annual trips to see them.
Since she was the youngest of 12 cousins on both sides of her family, it seems especially unfair that she should die so young, just shy of 67.
I wish I had been less of a cousin and more of a brother to her.
Her bucket list included seeing her eastern cousins and returning to the Grand Canyon. I hope if there are parallel universes, she may someday get to go.
We loved you more than you knew, Ann. Your cousin Tim.
--Christine
My Dear Ann…
So desperately missing you… was looking forward to many wonderful times growing old with you.
God Bless your beautiful soul, in the beautiful afterlife, which you so deserve.
So Loving, So Giving, and So Kind.
Thank You!!!
Missing You!!!
I love you.
…and miss you!
Love. : )
Dmitriy Khmaladze
Worked together in 2010-12.
Ann Allard was the best IT manager I have ever known. She always helped me and others with anything she could do, very kind person.
We miss you so much! Thank you for everything you did for us!