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.
Dear Postel family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ann was so very devoted to you all. I enjoyed her company through many lacrosse seasons. Wishing you peace.
With deepest sympathies,
Nell Hurley, Annie O’Neill and family.
Dear Jay and family,
My heart and prayers are with all of you. Anne was my first friend, we met when we were 4. I was and am so blessed to have her and all of the Timmins family be a part of my life. Anne was always up for an adventure, could make me, along with her sisters Elizabeth and Bridget, laugh till we cried. Our summers were filled with swimming, riding our bikes, exploring, winters were for ice skating. With 8 kids in her family there was always ice skates to be found.
Anne was also so loved by my family, my Mother’s favorite. My Mother and Anne worked out baby names so Mom’s youngest would be named after Ann. Thus my youngest brother and his son’s middle names are Patrick .
May God’s love, strength, and mercy surround all who loved Ann. May our favorite memories of Ann fill our hearts.
Love, Michelle Medley and family
Coach, JJ and Family –
I was very sad to hear about the news. My deepest condolences. Hoping you can find strength and peace.
My sincerest sympathies. I will keep your family in my prayers. Linda Lamontagne
Dear Jay and family,
With tears in my eyes, especially after reading the stirring obituary and related comments on this website, I offer my sincerest condolences on Ann’s passing. This kind of news is always sad, but when it concerns someone as young as Ann, it is a dark tragedy.
I am so sorry, and I know that the beautiful memories of Ann will sustain her family. She will live in your hearts, and in the hearts of anyone who has met her, forever.
Sincerely,
Jerry Stern
Dear, Postel Family
While we never had the pleasure of meeting Ann, we felt like we knew her well. Lizzy always spoke of her mother with such love and admiration that our family here could feel Ann’s warmth and devotion to her own. We are very sorry for your loss, and wishing you strength and peace in this time. Our deepest sympathies.
Your friends at Truth Collective
Jay and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ann was a remarkable woman. She was kind, funny, generous, and strong. She had a passion and pure joy for life that was palpable. We raised our kids together and she set the gold standard for mothers. Family was everything to Ann. She will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew her. Sending love to her wonderful family.
With loving memories,
Kathy Thomson
Kathy Thomson
Dear Jay,
I was deeply distressed and saddened to hear of Ann’s passing; you and she have both been such significant contributors to the community and stand-up citizens. I hope that you and the children can get through this period with as much equanimity as possible and that we see you again soon under better circumstances.
Sincerely yours, Peter White and family
Dear JJ, Sara and the Postel family,
I am so saddened by the news of your mom’s passing. Although I only met and saw her at the Nash Thanksgivings, she made such lasting impressions of her warmth, welcoming nature, kindness and sense of vibrant joy – traits that clearly have passed on to her children. My prayers to your family as you pass through these days of immediate grief and as you move on into the days when you remember the fun, loving and laugh til you cried times.
Rosie O’Boyle
Dear the Postel Family,
I knew Ann from tennis. She stood out among my tennis friends because of her sweetness and genuineness. No matter what we talked about, Ann glowed most when she spoke of you.
When I heard about her death, I feel sad for all of you. May you find joy in reminiscing about this special lady and eventually acceptance.
Aline Nguyen
Hello,
I was quite saddened to see Ann’s obituary in the paper. Ann and I worked together at Sibleys, (I was Laurie Harrington). She was a delight, beautiful inside and out. I remember when she started dating Jay. We both lived in Fairport. I can’t express how sorry I am for your family’s loss.
Dear Jay and Family:
Belated condolences to all of you. Our prayers will always be with you. Cousin Chris Carney