Ann Elizabeth Schrader O’Neill, a leader of The Denver Post team that won a Pulitzer Prize, died April 29. She was 75.
The chemotherapy she had for breast cancer 15 years earlier prompted heart failure, an ironic outcome for a woman renowned for her big heart.
Schrader – as she was known in her byline and to her legions of friends – specialized in health and science and served as an editor while working at The Post from 1979 to 2012.
She was a key reporter on the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, which resulted in a Pulitzer for The Post for distinguished local coverage of breaking news.
“Columbine was a big international story, but for Annie it was heartbreakingly local. She lived in the neighborhood. She knew many of the people,” said Post colleague Mark Obmascik. “In the newsroom, she was always on reporters and editors to be really good listeners — and to get it right.”
In the newsroom, Schrader also served as the Newspaper Guild steward, the commissioner of football pools, and the reporter who reminded newsroom commuters after every snowstorm to “Go before you go.”
“She was an editor’s dream,” said colleague Billie Stanton. “And she was one of the funniest, warmest and best friends I’ve known.”
After retiring from The Post, Schrader and her husband, Pat, operated the Laz E Acres horse boarding stable in Littleton. There, daughter Caitlin, now 37, became an equestrian and would go on to compete in reining at the National Western Stock Show.
Caitlin was Schrader’s proudest achievement, far more important to her than any journalism award. They shared an impenetrable bond and were together in hospice throughout Schrader’s weeks-long illness.
Ann and Pat later moved to a 10-acre farm east of Franktown, where Schrader gardened, raised hens, spoiled cats and hoisted 50-pound bales of hay among other chores for the family’s eight horses.
Schrader was born Feb. 2, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the former Jane Schmidt and Harold J. “Gus” Schrader, a newspaper man whose love of the profession inspired her.
She graduated from the University of Iowa, where she studied English literature and journalism. She went on to work at the Cedar Rapids Gazette before coming to The Post.
She is survived by her loving husband, Francis Patrick O’Neill; her daughter, Caitlin O’Neill, and her husband, Jess Nelson; her sister, Melissa McGuire (Mike McGuire); her stepson, John O’Neill (Raquel O’Neill), and stepdaughters Jane Irigoyen (Marcelo Irigoyen) and Mary Eident (Derrick Eident).
She is also survived by grandchildren Jake O’Neill, Kelsey Huwa (Anthony Huwa), Kylie O’Neill, MacKenzie Rasvey (Matt Rasvey), Cyrus Anaya, Ryne Skiles and Lucy Irigoyen; and her great-grandchildren, Adeline Rasvey, Aria Rasvey and Emberly Huwa.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Steven C. Schrader.
A memorial service will be announced later.
Billie Stanton, who wrote this obituary, is a former Denver Post employee and former member of the editorial board who worked with Ann Schrader. Her remembrance of her colleague is included here.
