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Ann Brownell Obituary
Ann Margaret
December 13, 1947 - April 11, 2025
Passed peacefully in her sleep from complications of cancer & Lewy Bodies Dementia in Granada Hills, California. She was born in Buffalo, New York, to William & Ethel McCarthy, the youngest of four children. Her death was preceded by her sister, Kathleen, and her husband of over 50 years, "Brownell." Ann is survived by her daughters, Bridget and Bernadette and her grandchildren, Axel, Jude, Topanga, Sebastian and Keeton, her brother, Joseph, and his wife Marie Anne and her sister, Helen, and many nieces and nephews who fondly reminisce about how she enthusiastically played with them. Though she loved the arts, pottery, painting, drawing and even won accolades for her acting, she ultimately went on to receive her University of Buffalo Bachelor Degree of Business Administration. While taking a required theology course at nearby Canisus College, she met Thomas D. Brownell, receiving the necessary credit and a husband to boot. After taking time to raise her two daughters, she returned to school to earn her Masters of Education from the University of Hartford. Ann impacted countless students' lives all over the east coast during her 30+ year teaching career. She dedicated her time and several rooms in her home to school supplies and Scholastic Book Fair deals. Ann's faith in God inspired her to live her life in service to others. In addition to being a teacher, she was a Girl Scout Leader and regularly volunteered at her church including teaching weekly CCD Classes. We will remember a fierce competitor, unrelentingly beating us in cards and board games, laughing at our defeat with a white Zinfandel in hand. We will remember trips to Zoos and visits to her beloved giraffes. We will remember an avid reader with a library full of mysteries and whodunits, a hostess who threw epic Halloween parties and Christmas Celebration as well as a woman floating around her pool. We will remember her often with deep love and gratitude. There will not be a funeral service as we are proud to share Ann donated her body to UCLA's Anatomical Gifting Program. This summer her daughters will host a Celebration of Life in Buffalo/near Springville. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to the Girl Scouts of America: https://www.girlscoutsla.org/en/support-us/donate-locally.html.
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