Obituary: Anne M. “Mac” Robertson Thielen (Jun. 16, 1916 - Oct. 29, 2009)

Anne was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on June 16, 1916.  At the age of 3 she traveled with her mother and young brother to Scotland where they visited with family for several years.  They returned to the United States and stayed in Portland, Ore., briefly before continuing, via lumber schooner down the Pacific Coast to Eureka,  where they united with their father, Jim Robertson, an accountant.

Anne graduated from Del Norte County High School in Crescent City in 1934 and later graduated from business school in Portland, Ore.  Anne loved sports and with her brother Ralph, owned a horse and belonged to the Portland Hunt club. She was also an avid golfer.  Her interest in travel continued when she crossed the U.S. again as an adult.  With a girlfriend, she visited New York City, Fort Benning, Ga., and other points on the East Coast before returning to California.

Anne met and later married Chuck Thielen on New Year’s Day 1945.  The next day the couple shipped out to Missouri.  Shortly thereafter, Chuck was deployed to Korea where he worked as a civil engineer and cartographer. 

After the Korean conflict, Anne and Chuck purchased and operated Magruder’s Gift and Souvenir Shop (formerly at the corner of 2nd and L Streets) in Crescent City. They built a home directly behind the store and operated the store from 1947 until 1964, when both the home and store were destroyed by the 1964 tsunami.

Anne served in many community organizations.  She was president of the Business and Professional Women Club, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, was elected to the Republican Central Committee, president of the PTA, a Cub Scout leader, Eastern Star, and member of the Redwood Empire Association.

There was always someone visiting at the kitchen table and she was known for her crab feeds. Well respected and fun loving, she warmed any room she walked into in spite of a 40-year struggle with scleroderma. After 7 years in a wheel chair she changed her diet, took acupuncture and then miraculously returned to walking and driving for many more years.

At about age 75, Anne decided she would learn the computer and became very proficient at it, keeping track of her investments daily, used Quicken to write and record all her checks, used Turbo Tax to prepare the family taxes for many years, and communicated with family and friends on email up until her death.

For health-related reasons, Anne and Chuck moved to Northern Virginia in March of 2004 to be closer to their daughter, Kathi.  According to her wishes there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make a contribution in Anne's name to: Del Norte High School Scholarship Fund, c/o Doris Whalen, 275 Elk Valley Rd, Crescent City, CA  95531