Ann Valarie Doan

Doan, Ann Valarie (Hall)
Rochester: Ann Valarie Doan (Hall), 73, from hemorrhagic stroke. Predeceased by her parents, brother, 163 cats, 9 dogs, 4 horses, and numerous chickens. Survived by her husband, daughter, granddaughter, 7 cats, 2 dogs, and 1 chicken.
Born in the last year of Model T manufacture, Ann grew up in Rochester during the school year, and spent her summers on her grandparent's farm in the Adirondacks. There, she spent her time with her best friend Gail and her cousins Ken, Doug, Arty and Don, engaging in daring horseback riding, swimming, and bull-baiting exploits which she never mentioned to her father. Ann's early years were touched by the Depression, and were pivotal in developing what she termed "Cliffy syndrome", the exultant satisfaction derived from saving money. Ann relished trading thrift stories with other members of the family also afflicted. Ann enjoyed a rewarding 15 year career at Kodak, where she made many life-long good friends, and felt she received a fuller education than if she had attended college. During my growing up, though, it seemed the vast majority of Mom's Kodak stories were about the parties rather than learning densitometry. Ann and Jim moved to Hilton in 1961 to embark on the mastery of house building, animal husbandry, and landscape planting. Ann loved growing things; be it plants, a savings account, or paperwork on her desk. She and Jim created a temperate forest from a windswept field. In 1979, having mastered the above plus having a family, she, along with other interested community members, started the Hilton-Parma Community Council which worked to coordinate services for community members in need. Along with this, Ann started the Hilton Emergency Food Shelf. A believer in Service and Stewardship, Ann fed the hungry, human and animal, for over 25 years. Ann was a prolific reader and huge supporter of the Parma Public Library. Ann and head librarian Susan worked tirelessly for 31 years to build and circulate large collections of mysteries and cookbooks, as well as wear out the reference section, as Ann called Susan whenever she had a pressing question. Ann also enjoyed the music section; in her lifetime she blew out three sets of stereo speakers: on Polkas, Sousa marches, and Placido Domingo. The overriding theme of Ann's life was one of selflessly tending to those in need. Be it moral, medical, financial, or emotional support, Ann was there to offer assistance. A consummate raconteur, Ann could regale at length on her life, friends, and family, particularly the four-footed ones. And she certainly had plenty of material to draw from! Ever interesting and interested, one would be hard pressed to find a better listener. If ever there was a women of substance, it was Ann. She stood up for what she believed in and offered no apologies for her opinions. She wasn't afraid to forge trails and invite others to follow. Her sense of humor brought her through many trials, and her distinctive laugh would sometimes shake the house or express itself in sneaky ways, such as abandoning over 200 squash in a friend's yard on Halloween. Complex and beautiful, she leaves behind a legacy of thousands of lives touched by her caring.
Ann will be interred at Lakeside Cemetery on Moscow Rd. in Hamlin. There will be no service, as per her emphatic command not to drag those who loved her over emotional hot coals. Donations in her memory may be made to Habitat For Cats, PO Box 25637, Rochester, NY 14625, or you can adopt one or more of the 31 houseplants and tender perennials she has in the basement.
Mother Nature requests everyone living near my parents to step up their efforts for wildlife, as there will be significant slack to be taken up.
I miss you, my best friend. Love from your daughter.