Ann Cornick Timberlake

Ann Cornick Timberlake, age 79, a native of Yorktown and Norfolk, VA, the daughter of Attorney Julian Shepherd Cornick and Shirley Gannaway Cornick, died peacefully in her favorite reading chair on December 21, 2024, in Alexandria, VA. Growing up on the water, Ann enjoyed exploring the marshes and waterskiing with her sisters and cousins; crabbing and oystering with her parents; and spending time at her grandfather's once rural retreat on the Currituck Sound in Duck, NC.

Ann graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk and attended Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg. After graduation, Ann moved to Washington, DC, for work and fell in love with the culture and arts that the city offered. In 1978, Ann was married to Dr. James Harfield Timberlake, Jr., an historian who earned his Ph.D. in American History from Harvard, a Naval officer, and foreign affairs specialist at the Department of Defense. They raised their twins, James and Elizabeth, in Alexandria, where both attended St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School from first grade through high school. Theirs was a close-knit family, with Ann a devoted volunteer at the twins' school as well as a Sunday school teacher and Cub Scout leader.

After Jim lost a seven-year struggle with cancer, Ann was widowed in 1998. She retained her curiosity and zest for life, seeing the twins through college and traveling abroad on her own and with her wide network of friends. She was an avid movie goer-even double bills-and loved opera, both live Washington National Opera performances at the Kennedy Center and the Metropolitan Opera's telecasts in movie theaters. A gifted conversationalist with a quick wit, she was happiest talking about Virginia history, current events, and whatever her children and four grandchildren were doing. She loved newspapers-the print version-and her beloved crosswords. She was a food, wine, and museum enthusiast who made going out to dinner an event.

She was a 44-year member of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, serving on the church's History and Archives Committee. She also worshipped at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington and volunteered in its good works. Although a traditionalist in some ways (e.g., defending the importance of teaching the Classics and reading the King James version of the Bible), she was ahead of her times in many others: she was always a fierce feminist and an unflinching supporter of civil rights.

Ann is survived by the twins, James Harfield Timberlake III (Michelle) of Fairfax and Elizabeth Cornick Timberlake (Tim) of Alexandria, her sisters Susan Crooks Cornick (Bill) of Boston and Margaret Cornick Holland (Sam) of Richmond, and grandchildren Julianne, Emma, Henry and James.

Ann is so loved and fondly remembered. She lived her religious faith at all times, believed in saying "yes", and taught the people around her how to enjoy life. Her unique voice and old Tidewater accent will be missed by those who had the privilege of laughing with her over the course of a happy life. Friends wouldn't erase the hilarious voicemails she left and many keep collections of the uproariously (and sometimes wickedly) funny holiday greeting cards she would send at every opportunity (including Halloween!).

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 24, at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, VA. The interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to WETA-she was an enthusiastic supporter and viewer of public television-or a gift to the History and Archives Committee of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House, reflecting a passion she shared with her husband.