Anna and Dan Wiedemann may be leaving Newtown for Southbury, but they will be long remembered by residents for their legacy of service with local organizations and on various government boards.

Over their 33 years in town, Anna served as a PTA president, with Women Involved in Newtown (WIN), the Newtown Juniors and Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC, Inc, Newtown VNA, and on the Children’s Adventure Center board. She was a member of and chaired the Commission on Aging, was elected to the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers and the Board of Education, served with the Newtown Democratic Town Committee, and co-chaired the Newtown Suicide Prevention Initiative. She has driven for Meals on Wheels for 20 years, provided one-on-one support to residents as a Stephen Minister, and spent several years as a Salvation Army bell ringer coordinator.

Meanwhile, Dan is a four-term member of the Legislative Council, where he chaired the council’s Municipal Operations, Education, and Charter Revision Search committees. He served on a previous Charter Revision Commission in 2013, chaired the Shared Services Committee in 2016, and is a former Republican Town Committee vice-chairman.

He also coached youth basketball for 21 years, served on the Newtown Youth Basketball Association board most of those years, was a league director, and then vice-president of the association’s In House program. He coached girls’ softball locally for eight years, and football for two years.

“Dan and I realized early on that giving back to the community, whether it is coaching or civic responsibilities, was important,” said Anna.

Their volunteer service started with Anna’s involvement on the PTA and Dan’s coaching, first for their children’s schools and their teams, but then continuing long after their children were no longer involved. Dan said that he and Anna believe that they should volunteer for the benefit of the whole town, not just themselves or their family.

“We’re both the type who don’t do things just because our kids our involved,” said Dan. “We tried to instill that in our kids as well.”

“We do our homework and join or run for offices, boards and commissions based on our desire to help and the basic love of whatever group we belong to,” said Anna.

Dan said that after his children were done playing in youth leagues, all three have either coached with him or coached their own teams.

As a member of the Commission on Aging, Anna stated that over her years, there have been many programming changes that have enhanced the senior center. She also stated that it was an “amazing process” to be included in the planning and development of the new community center and senior center. She has continued to be involved in programming regarding seniors by being invited to the Community Center Committee meetings when needed.

“I have been very fortunate that by being so involved in the senior center and the Commission on Aging, I have been able to be a part of many other organizations like the Western Connecticut Area Commission on Aging, and have also become a CHOICES [Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening] counselor, helping people with Medicare enrollment,” Anna said.

She has met with the superintendent of schools, along with other seniors, on a committee about issues regarding senior citizens and bridging gaps between students and seniors with intergenerational events. Anna said she even completed a class on social isolation so she could better respond to local homebound residents sheltering in place because of COVID-19.

“When the pandemic first hit, I made it a point to call people on a weekly rotating basis,” said Anna. “At first I was able to make many calls a day. As it wore on, I could only make a few calls each day because the need to speak to another person became very important. How lucky was I to hear so many wonderful stories and learn so much about someone else. So while the pandemic was awful, it also afforded us many opportunities.”

As to her departure from town government, Anna said that in the past people told her she was the “glue that holds things together” on some of the boards she has served on.

“Maybe it’s time for someone else to be the glue,” said Anna.

Dan and Anna expressed concern over the increasing polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties. Dan said that the Republicans have gone “too far right” and the Democrats have gone “too far left” at the national and state level.

However, they said at the local level, there is “no real difference” between the parties — and in years past, the parties “really did get along well.” Dan stated that the chairs of the Democratic and Republican Town Committees used to get together to discuss nominees for board and commissions.

Anna said that neither she nor her husband have an agenda when they serve on boards and commissions.

Dan said that his preference would be for the Legislative Council to be split 6-6 between the Republicans and Democrats as that would force the parties to work together. He stated he’s been on a 9-3 majority council, and in a 5-7 minority.

“Unfortunately, when it’s lopsided, the sides don’t work together,” said Dan.

“No one party should have all the power,” agreed Anna. “The parties used to be friendly and respectful of one another. Now there’s a great divide.”

Anna said that the couple makes efforts to “try and get people to the middle,” where more gets done for the good of the town.

The couple have three adult children, Jennifer, Stephanie, and James; as well as four grandchildren, twins Talia and Livy, 9; Kellen, 9; and Kaden, 1. Dan has worked for Geneve Corporation for 35 years and is currently vice president of trading operations. Anna is currently retired, but has worked for Sandy Hook Elementary School and Newtown Middle School.

She has also helped as a fill-in handling phone calls and greeting visitors to the first selectman’s and finance offices at the municipal center.

The Wiedemanns moved to Newtown from College Point in Queens, N.Y. Anna said that she was very active there, and upon moving to Newtown, vowed to “not be so involved” in her new home town.

“That lasted one week,” said Anna.

As to whether they’re going to get involved again once they’ve moved to Southbury, Dan said he has “no idea.”

“We want to get settled and then we’ll see how things turn out,” Dan said. “But neither of us are the type to sit on our hands.”

Anna said she may volunteer at the schools, possibly Gainfield School. Dan said that while one of his grandsons plays football and basketball, he plans to be there to support him, not to be the head coach.

They said the idea of moving to Southbury wasn’t an easy one for them, and they started the process last year.

“We’ve lived here the majority of our married life,” said Dan, who noted that the couple needed a house that gave ample space for themselves, their daughter Stephanie and husband Kurt, and two grandchildren.

Dan and Anna also wanted bathrooms on both floors and a sleeping area on the first floor, as Dan has had a knee replacement and Anna has had two knee replacements as well as replacements of both hips.

“We didn’t want to do stairs any more,” said Dan.

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said he has known Dan and Anna “for a long time” and they have “touched many in town with their volunteerism.”

“Anna always has her hand up for something,” Rosenthal said. “If you look up ‘volunteerism in Newtown,’ you will see a picture of [Anna and Dan].”

Rosenthal joked that Newtown should annex the portion of Southbury that the Wiedemanns are moving to, so they could keep serving the town. However, more seriously, he stated he was “happy for them.”

“The town is grateful for all their contributions,” said Rosenthal. “Sometimes change can be good.”

Director of Human Services Natalie Jackson said she has had “the pleasure of working with Anna” since she was hired in 2019, as Anna was chair of the Commission on Aging and part of the interview process.

“What makes her so special is her unwavering commitment to the town and the seniors,” said Jackson. “She goes above and beyond and does things people don’t even realize. She doesn’t seek accolades — she does things because she cares.”

Jackson stated that a reception to honor the Wiedemanns will take place toward the end of the summer. Once the time and location have been finalized, The Newtown Bee will share all the details.

Reporter Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.