Obituary of Ann Hopper Csonka

Ann Hopper Csonka passed away at 8:15 AM on March 1, 2014. She was born in Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, D.C. on August 10, 1936, to Ann Hurd Glidden Hopper and John Craig Hopper Jr. Her parents worked in D.C. but Ann lived primarily in Delta, PA, Cardiff, MD, and Upper Marlboro, MD with her grandparents and other relatives during early childhood. This was after the Depression—her parents were getting established and then building a house in Oaklawn, Maryland. In Upper Marlboro, she was one of many schoolchildren who collected bales of milkweed seeds so that the material could be used by WWII troops for flotation devices. Ann went to school in Camp Springs, Surratsville, and Oxon Hill, Maryland. She was very involved with art and instrumental music through the 1950's. She attended the University of Chicago on scholarship and the Art Institute of Chicago, then George Washington Univ. in D.C. in art and education. She lived in Georgetown while in school and working at National Farmer's Union, Dept. of Interior—Bureau of Indian Affairs, and National Park Service, for several years. She married Frank A. Csonka Jr. in 1958 and moved to a farm in Accokeek, MD, from which she commuted to D.C. to work while starting a family. From 1957 to 1991, Ann worked at the U. S. Geological Survey in Washington, DC and Reston, VA. Her field was visual information—specializing in exhibits and concept development and scientific illustration, with travel and work on a number of domestic and international projects. Her work included intermittent assignments to the Smithsonian Institution, State Department and several other Federal agencies. Part of her USGS service was as Chief of the Exhibits/Visual Information Office. Ann also worked with a special task force that helped to establish the Civil Service Classification Series of Visual Information, including standards, which both broadened and more clearly defined the myriad of actual specialties beyond Exhibits Specialist. Throughout her life, Ann was involved in public service and community activities. Early projects were helping her parents advocate for conservation of natural areas and historic properties in Maryland, building and monitoring bluebird nest boxes, monitoring wildlife in woodlands near their home, and campaigning for Democratic Party candidates. Natural area conservation, gardening for wildlife, teaching and nature interpretation and advocacy for wildlife and wild places were major activities. Ann moved to Herndon, Virginia with her three children in 1971. In 1983, she was joined in Herndon by her husband, Dr. John M. De Noyer—the love of her life. Ann and John were a perfect team as they became increasingly involved in community activities and environmental education. They made significant differences in the Town of Herndon, with John's 16 years of service on the Town Council and their shared passions for teaching about the natural world and raising the consciousness of citizens. She is survived by her husband John De Noyer; a sister, Catharine Flippin and her husband John of Vienna, VA and nephews Bruce and Kevin; a brother, John Craig Hopper III and his wife Bonnie of Calvert County, Maryland and nephews John and Joseph also in Maryland. Surviving children are Carol Ann Csonka Brown of Eldersburg, Maryland; and Steve Csonka and partner George Parenteau of Sarasota, Florida. Son Frank Anton "Tony" Csonka III was a victim of accidental drowning in 1977 in Reston. Stepchildren include Barbara De Noyer of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Perry De Noyer and his wife Bonnie of Waldorf, Maryland; Emory Riley of Pennsylvania, and Linda Jespersen, who passed away in Colorado in 2002. Grandchildren include Lyana Brown in Ohio and Mitchell Brown in Maryland, Shane De Noyer and Shawna Garcia in Colorado, Kyle Jespersen and his wife Mia in Washington State, and Samantha Riley in Pennsylvania. Great-grandchildren are Cassidy and Jacob Martinez in Colorado; Emerald and Sapphire Jespersen in Florida; and Bryant Botchick in Pennsylvania. A short memorial service followed by a long party will held in the near future at a location and time to be announced. No flowers. Donations may be sent to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Email condolences may be made at adamsgreen.com.