Obituary: Ann B. Melnick, 94, 28-year resident Of Ridgefield

Information and Photo Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ann B. Melnick, a 28-year resident of Ridgefield, died peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, April 6, 2024, two months before her 95th birthday. Ann was the widow of William W. Melnick, and the devoted mother of sons Michael, Stephen, and John.

Ann was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on June 20, 1929, the youngest of eight children born to Joseph and Antonina Gueci. She grew up in a happy family with doting parents and loving older siblings. The family were parishioners of the Church of St. Barbara, on Bleecker Street. Ann so admired St. Barbara’s grand Baroque Revival architecture, she brought her sons to experience it when they were young children. Ann's love of music may have begun at St. Barbara's — she excelled at the singing of hymns. This extended to popular music, and Ann actually sang live on N.Y. radio in her youth.

Ann loved living in Brooklyn, and after 1956, in Queens. She was a patriotic American, and a proud New Yorker, and from her sons' early days, loved organizing outings to Radio City, the Natural History Museum, and on the Staten Island Ferry. After graduating from Bushwick High School, Ann went to work for E.R. Squibb & Son, where she met many lifelong friends. Her Squibb circle of friends gathered annually for many years for reunion lunches at the Princeton Club.

Both Ann and Bill believed in Catholic education and sent their sons to St. Elizabeth School and Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens County. After raising her family, Ann committed extra time to her church activities. She was a devoted Catholic and trained to become a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine instructor. She spent 40 years teaching CCD, at both St. Elizabeth's and, in Ridgefield, at St. Mary's, receiving several honors over that time. In later years, Ann was engaged in pre-school daycare; her many charges knew her affectionately as "Ms. Annie."

Ann's greatest joy was her family. Ann was a loyal and caring daughter, sister, and aunt. Most of all, she was proud of the accomplishments of her sons as they grew to adulthood, and believed strongly that raising her family was the greatest accomplishment in life. Ann cherished annual family vacations in East Hampton, Long Island as a relaxing alternative to busy city life. She loved her girlhood times spent at Belmont Lake and wanted her sons to experience the same.

Ann enjoyed travel to visit her family from the time she was a young adult. Whether to New Jersey, the Carolinas, or Alabama to see siblings, or to England to visit her son, Michael; no journey was a hardship. With her many friends and their husbands, Ann and Bill enjoyed many weekend getaways to enjoy music, scenery, and relaxation. When closer to home, Ann and her friends learned ceramics, which became a favorite hobby, as were long games of Scrabble. She was a devotee of classic films and Westerns and was an avid viewer of Turner Classic Movies. A high point of her later life was meeting the actor John Mills after a one-man show at the Hyatt in Greenwich.

Ann is survived by her three sons, Michael, Stephen, and John, who cherished her deeply. Ann is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, who knew her as Aunt Annie, and many friends, both old and new. Everyone enjoyed food and fellowship around "Annie’s" table. All were always welcome; cooking for friends and family was a great joy for Ann.

Ann was predeceased in 2013 by her husband, William, who she called "Mel" since their days dating and dancing in Brooklyn Heights, before they married in 1957. She was also predeceased by seven siblings and their spouses.

Family and friends will be received on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, 55 Catoonah St., Ridgefield.

Interment will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery, 110 North St., Ridgefield.