Millbrook – Ann Westney, resident of The Fountains of Millbrook since 2001, departed this life on May 10, 2015 at the age of 92. Many residents, administrators and staff at The Fountains have expressed to the family that “a light in our community has gone out and we will never be the same.” This notice sets out to capture the extraordinary life of a person full of vitality, spirituality, sensitivity, humor, compassion, and open-mindedness. She was keenly interested in everyone she encountered. Her inner radiance inspired so many.
Born on January 26, 1923 to Franz and Hedwig Guterman of Amsterdam, Holland, Ann came to the U.S. with her family in 1939, graduated from St. Agatha’s School for Girls and attended Parsons School of Design, both in New York City. She is predeceased by her husband, Richard Burhans Westney, whom she married in Forest Hills, NY in 1943, and with whom she raised four children. Ann is survived by sons Richard (and wife Marilynn) of Montgomery, TX and William (and wife Emilia) of Lubbock, TX; and by daughters Mary of Nashville, TN and Hazel (and partner Eve) of Singapore and Red Hook, NY; and by ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Once her children were older, Ann worked as the administrative supervisor of the Brooklyn Home for Children, a foster care agency, in Forest Hills, NY. Throughout her life Ann served others by teaching Sunday School; directing the school glee club; leading the Cub Scouts; crocheting blankets for those in need; launching programs and heading up committees at church, at school and in the community; volunteering in political campaigns; singing in choirs and choral societies (for over 50 years); and much more. She loved languages, music, art and culture, and traveling the globe with her husband Dick. Ann’s impact in this world was palpable, and will live on. In recent weeks, as stories and reflections have flowed in from all sides, her children have found certain themes expressed over and over: “Ann was a bright light…. full of life and kindness. She always took an interest in me; she believed in me; we had a very special and precious relationship.” Ann lived a life of gratitude and hope; her life-affirming and empathetic spirit affected all who knew her.
The memorial service for Ann Westney will be at Grace Church,3328 Franklin Avenue, Millbrook, NY 12545 on Saturday, May 16th at 1:00 p.m. Calling hours will be at, 3270 Franklin Avenue, Millbrook from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15th. It was her request that in lieu of flowers donations could be made to Grace Church in Millbrook or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.
