Ann Postel, 61, devoted mother and wife, rock hunting aficionado, avid tennis/racquet sport player, skier, and enthusiastic library patron (though sometimes better at reading than returning), died of breast cancer on Sunday April 2nd, 2017 in the arms of her family. A native of Warren, Ohio, Ann married her husband Jay Postel in 1984. She is survived by her son John Joseph Postel and Sara Nash Postel (Chicago), her daughters MaryAlice Postel (New York City) and Lizzy Postel (Rochester), and her granddaughter Delaney Rae Postel, the final joy of her life. She is predeceased by her father, Dr. William J. Timmins and mother MaryAlice Heltzel Timmins and survived by her sister Bridget Paul, all of Warren, Ohio.
A talented artist across a multitude of media and possessed with an avalanche of creativity, Ann graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh after which she worked in advertising in Columbus, Ohio and Rochester, creating award winning work for companies such as Kodak, Xerox, French’s, Marriott, Ralph Lauren, and Crossman. She is best known for creating the logo for Alfred State College, that’s her script.
Having three young children and living in an 1825 farmhouse, she found her new medium. By hand, shovel, and wheelbarrow, she transformed the house into a family home. She dug, hauled, and stacked tons of fieldstone to build over a thousand feet of stone walls along which she planted dozens of her beloved lilac bushes that she nursed from cuttings.
She could be as hard headed as her rocks when fiercely advocating for her children who she guided into the colleges of their choice and successful professional careers, including two daughters who followed her footsteps into advertising.
She lives on through what she loved most, her family. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to URMC Wilmot Cancer Institute in her name.
A Memorial Celebration will be held on May 6, 2017 3:30 P.M. at 621 Mendon Center Road, Pittsford NY.