Ann "Brigell" Storch

Ann (Brigell) Storch, of Belmont, MA, formerly of Lincoln, MA and New York City, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026 after a long life of 105 years. Ann was married for more than 40 years to the late Sidney Storch, and was the sister of the late Max, Jack, and Alan Brigell. She is survived by her son Steve Storch and his wife Kate Lenox, her daughter Debbie and her husband Michael Bard, and grandchildren Greg Storch and his wife Erin Foster West, and David Storch and his wife Mahalia Clark.

Ann was born in New York City – the youngest of four children of her immigrant parents Sam and Ida (Mack) Brigell. Ida was widowed at a very young age, and Ann never knew her father. She was the only one of her siblings to complete high school, where she acquired her secretarial skills (never forgetting the lost art of shorthand). Entering the job market as soon as possible was imperative for an immigrant family during the Depression and War years, and Ann found work as a secretary while living with her family in upper Manhattan and later in the South Bronx.

She met her future husband at a dance at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. (Cue up "Maria" from West Side Story.) Sid was drafted into the Army not long after, and served in the Signal Corps through the end of World War II in multiple theaters of operation (and he never forgot Morse Code). He sent Ann many "Your friend, Sid" letters while abroad – he was a true romantic – and they were married a few years after his discharge.

Ann and Sid moved to a large co-op apartment development in Queens in 1951, after which their two kids, Steve and Debbie, were born. Together they all lived a classic 1950's baby boom era lifestyle, in a tight mostly Jewish community. Then, as for most of her lifetime, Ann was very fashionable, in high-heeled shoes, with her hair coiffed weekly by the salon, nails polished, and lipstick applied. She loved to shop for good deals in the department stores, and to go on trips with Sid and their friends.

Ann and her three brothers remained very close to their mom Ida and to each other throughout their lives, with most Sunday afternoons spent together with the entire family at Ida's apartment in the Bronx. That value, of keeping family close, has flowed down through the generations.

As her kids went off to college and then moved on with their own adult lives, Ann transitioned to a long-term job as an executive secretary for the Association of American Publishers (AAP) in midtown Manhattan – making a long commute in from Queens every day. She loved the bustle of New York City, both for work and entertainment. When Sid died suddenly at 74 years old in 1991, Mom continued to work at AAP, and otherwise successfully restructured her life with new friends and activities. This included helping to care for her new grandchildren, Greg and David, joining in on family gatherings and vacations, and spending more of the winter months in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

In 2017, at 97 years old, Ann left her walk-up apartment in her beloved New York City to live closer to her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kate, first residing at an assisted living facility in Lincoln, MA, and later at a nursing home in Belmont. Through all of the next 8 years, and the various health challenges that she encountered, Ann maintained her drive and joie de vivre, and was loved by many that she encountered.

Graveside services will be held at the Mount Ararat Cemetery 1165 Route 109, Lindenhurst, NY on Wednesday, April 1st at 1:00 PM.