Carol Ann Bloom, daughter of the late Richard Allen Bloom and Norma Ruth Bloom, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

               Ann was born October 7, 1947, in Altoona. She is survived by her sister, Sherry J. Bloom.

               Ann had fond memories of her years in Altoona and graduated from Altoona High School in 1965. She attended Penn State Altoona and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1969. Ann had a love for teaching young children and taught kindergarten at Stevens Elementary School and Wright Elementary School, both in Altoona.

               After relocating in State College, Ann opened her own preschool called Step One Preschool.

               Combining her love for teaching children and her love of writing, Ann authored “Rebus Art Projects” published by T.S. Denison in 1996. She also wrote two resources for elementary school teachers, “Playing with Print – Fostering Emergent Literacy” and “Nifty, Thrifty, No-Sew Costumes and Props” both published by Good-Year Books in 1997-1998.

                Ann had much success with creative writing and authored two mystery books for children – “The Secret of the Locked Trunk” and “The Wishing Closet” published by Royal Fireworks Press in 1998 and 2001.

                From 1999 through 2014, Ann enjoyed working in the Children’s Department at Schlow Centre Region Library in State College. She was also a regular contributor to Better Homes and Gardens and Crayola Kids and wrote articles for Family Life Magazine and Storytelling Magazine. Throughout life Ann had many interests such as gardening, baking, crocheting, sewing, music, and traveling

               A graveside service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Friday June 2, 2017 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Altoona with Pastor Stewart McClelland officiating. 

               Arrangements are made by Myers-Somers Funeral Home, Inc.