It is with heavy hearts that we report Ms. Anna “Ann” Kondak, one of Pro Musica Detroit’s great supporters, has passed. Ms. Kondak died Sept. 24, 2020. She was 92 years of age.
Members of Pro Musica will remember Ms. Kondak as she enjoyed performances for more than 60 concert seasons accompanied by her husband, the late Nicholas “Nick” Kondak, and members of their family from seats near the stage. Always a charming conversationalist, Ms. Kondak enjoyed sharing her appreciation for music, literature and the arts with her family, friends and colleagues.
“Bless the memory of this wonderful woman,” Josiah Taazelaar, longtime member of Pro Musica Detroit, said. “She was very special, and her love of Pro Musica of Detroit was unconditional. It was a real privilege having known her.”
Ms. Kondak will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband for over 68 years, Nicholas Kondak, in 2019, who also was a great supporter of Pro Musica Detroit.
“We all mourn the recent passing of Ann, a great friend and supporter of Pro Musica Detroit,” Anthony Ruda, President of Pro Musica Detroit. “I’ll miss her smile and kind words to everyone. She always made it a point to tell me at concerts, ‘I really like what you are doing at Pro Musica. I like the direction it is going. Thanks for your work.’ She would say things like this to everyone. Always gracious and encouraging. We all lost a treasure, but we also take with us a part of Ann — and Nick — as we nurture and build Pro Musica.”
Ms. Kondak was very active with the League of Women Voters of Detroit for many years. Ann was also an active member of Pro Musica Detroit for over 60 years; she served in leadership positions in both organizations. She was devoted to active citizenship, equality and social justice, and never left the house without a copy of the United States Constitution in her purse. She and Nick loved theater, opera and classical music, and were devoted patrons of the arts.
Ms. Kondak earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Wayne University in 1950, during which time she worked as a reporter for The Collegiate, the student newspaper. She returned to Wayne State University and earned a Masters of Library Science in 1976. She worked initially at the Grosse Pointe Public Library, and then as a Law Librarian at Plunkett & Cooney until her retirement.
Ms. Kondak had a passion for weaving and was active in the Eastside Handweavers Guild. She wove many items on the loom made for her by Nick, and she enjoyed teaching youth and adults alike the techniques of weaving. Ann learned to knit at a very young age, and made countless articles of clothing; she enjoyed making a personalized Christmas stocking for every child and grandchild. She was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, always trying to expand her knowledge and share her love of literature with others.
Nicholas “Nick” Kondak died Feb. 17, 2019. Mr. Kondak was an ardent supporter of the U.S. Constitution, serving for a time on the Michigan Board of the American Civil Liberties Union. He also was a supporter of environmental concerns and protection of the natural world.
Live classical music, theater and opera were Mr. Kondak’s passions. He designed and built numerous woodworking projects for family and friends. He loved golf and was secretary-treasurer of the Grosse Pointe Senior Men’s Club Golf League for many years. He stayed physically active taking daily walks around The Rivers, where he lived, and was still golfing twice a week through summer of 2018.
Ann and Nick Kondak also loved to travel, enjoying many trips overseas together. They also enjoyed camping, hiking and the great outdoors.
Ms. Kondak was a lifelong learner and was interested in everything and everybody. She was happiest when surrounded by friends and family, engaging in conversations with people of all ages. She always gave her full attention and remembered what was going on in everyone’s lives. Ann always tried to bring out the best in everyone, and her enthusiasm and spirit will be missed by all.
Ms. Kondak is survived by sister Kathy (Angelos) Constantinides, sister-in-law Freda Bakalis; children William (Susan), Diana (Mark Domin) and Christopher (Jennifer); grandchildren Paul (Tegan), Scott (Katie), Alexander (Ashley), Sarah (Alex Kerber), Hannah, Eleni and Caroline; great grandchildren Audrey, Charlie, Jana, Rowan, Evelyn, Leo and Liam; and her dear nieces and nephews. She also was predeceased by her twin brothers, John and Gus Bakalis.
A remembrance gathering will be held at a future date, when conditions permit. We will share details when they become available.
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