Ann E Coyer

Ann E. Coyer, age 89, of Bradenton, FL, formerly of Lowville, NY, passed away on Monday, April14, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born in Lowville, NY, to the late Charles and Dorothy (Hanno) Coyer, and attended elementary and high school at Lowville Academy. Upon graduation, she entered training at the University of Rochester and Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY to study X-Ray Technology. Upon completion, she took a job on the staff of Saint Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY where she worked as an X-Ray Technician while attending LeMoyne College, where in 1961 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. In June of 1961, Ann entered naval service and was sent to officer candidate school in Newport, RI where she was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy. Her tours of duty included: Naval Air Station Lakehurst, NJ; Construction Battalion Centers Davisville, RI and Port Hueneme, CA as well as Naval Support Force Antarctica. While assigned to the Antarctic group, she made three deployments to the continent of Antarctica with the Navy's Operation Deep Freeze. Her naval reserve Unit Assignments included the Naval Air Station Point Mugu, CA, Naval Reserve Center, Watertown, NY and St. Petersburg, FL. Ann's duties while in the Naval Service included: communications, personnel and administration, and she was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, the National Defense Medal, and the Antarctica Service Medal. A point the coast of Antactica was named Coyer Point in her honor by the Committee on Antarctic Names, as the first U.S. Navy woman to participate in Antarctic Operations. Upon her retirement from naval service, she entered nurses training at Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, FL and became a Registered Nurse in 1985, as well as completing and obtaining Florida licensures as an Emergency Medical Technician and a Paramedic. In 1997, she retired from L.W. Blake Hospital in Bradenton, FL, where she had been employed as an Emergency Room Nurse. Throughout her life, Ann has enjoyed numerous hobbies, including flying as a licensed private pilot. She has been active in amateur radio for many years with a call sign of WB2YXK and is a member of the Manatee County Amateur Radio Club, serving as president from 1997-1998. She was an avid golfer, active member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, was a volunteer at L.W. Blake Hospital where she was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, a member of the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24, the DAV Chapter 18 of Bradenton, FL and a lifetime member of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. Ann is survived by numerous cousins and extended family, including her cousin Rebecca (James) Wessel of Rostraver Township, PA., her neighbors, Audrey and Pat Neylan, and Patricia Lewis; friends, Ann Staub, John and Kay Meier, and Fr. Ed Schmidt, SJ (in Lima, Peru), to whom she, John and Fr. Ed were in contact via Amateur Radio, and then Zoom twice a week. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10 am until the time of Blessing service at 11 am, at the Brown and Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Graveside burial with Military Honors will follow at Mansion Memorial Park, Ellenton, FL. A memorial mass will be celebrated at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to a Pet Rescue or animal shelter of your choosing. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ann, please visit our floral store.