Anne Braun Wenslow of Alfred died June 10, 2014, following a valiant struggle against complications from a fall. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.
Born in Rochester, NY, on July 16, 1931, she was the daughter of Leo Braun Sr. and Anna Dummer Braun. Her parents and an infant daughter, Susan, predeceased her.
Anne earned her BS degree at Nazareth College, Rochester (NY) and MS degree at the University of Pittsburgh (PA). A gifted teacher, she served at the high school level in Troupsburg, Jasper, Fillmore, Friendship, Alfred-Almond and Wellsville Central Schools. In 1969 she joined Alfred State College as professor of office administration and technology. During her years there, she held campus positions as department chair, curriculum coordinator, president of the Faculty Senate, chair of various college-wide committees, as well as commencement and convocation speaker roles, until her retirement in 1995.
Throughout her career, Anne was a member of several professional organizations. After retirement, she continued as consultant and evaluator of office education programs for the NJ State Higher Education Department and the Commission of Higher Education/Middle States Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges.
Anne was a loving and proud mother and grandmother, an accomplished seamstress, quilter and needleworker, avid gardener, enthusiastic cook, and golfer. She loved to travel and had a lifelong affection for lighthouses. A strong and independent woman who lived life on her own terms, she was intensely loyal and always ready to help her family, friends, and community.
Anne served as a 4-H club leader and Boy Scout badge counselor, notary public, tutor and board member for the Literacy Volunteers of America – Allegany County, board member, secretary and chair of the supervisory committee for the Alfred-Allegany Educational Employees Federal Credit, member and chair of the Alfred Village Planning Board, and board member/treasurer of the Alfred 21st Century Group.
Although Anne was 82, everyone told her that she looked years younger. Her secret, as she frequently told younger women, was to “always moisturize!”
She is survived by son, Michael (Jennifer Evans) of North Hollywood, CA; daughters Cynthia (Stuart Yaniger) of Grayslake, IL, and Amy (Jeff Fretz) of Pasadena, CA; sister Leanne Keel of Waterloo, NY; brother Leo (Sue) of Rochester, NY; many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
At Anne’s request there will be no calling hours. A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, June 30th, 2014 at 2:00 PM at St. Brendan’s Church, Almond, where Anne was a communicant, lector and former parish council member.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SS Brendan & Jude’s Parish, Alfred Ambulance Fund, The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY 14843.
Dear Mike, Cynthia, Amy and the rest of Anne’s family…
Tony and I were very sad to learn about her death. I know from talking to her on the phone that she was having a very long bout trying to heal the sores from her fall.
We spent many happy hours together – trading baby sitting with our girls along with her children. She + Jim were very helpful when we built our house on the Lake Lodge Rd. In fact, when we were moving Anne helped me w/ the packing and a garage sale to get rid of ‘stuff’ so we could down-size.
At the lake she enjoyed the water while sitting on the deck and the two of us had some great adventures. We went to an opera @ Cooperstown, a huge antique flea market, and a Michelangelo art exhibit at Syracuse U.
Our last trip was on a beautiful fall day in 2010 when we visited an apple orchard, complete w/ tasting apple vodka, apple wine and shopping in the gift shop. One time we sat on an upper deck for an SU football game while Tony + Leigh sat in our regular seats.
Annie’s B+B was a place for me to stay when I returned to Alfred to visit family + friends. She entertained Tony + me in the summer of 2011 when we celebrated Anne’s + Tony’s birthdays. I’m so glad that I have a great photo from that visit.
Much Love + Many Prayers,
Ginny
Mrs. Wenslow was my Office Administration & Procedures professor at Alfred State College. I learned so much from her. She was tough and quite particular about the way work should be done. There was no leeway with Mrs. Wenslow! I really appreciated her knowledge. I remember a time when she took me aside and expressed concern that I was too quiet. She also knew that I had a steady boyfriend I had met at Alfred and said she wanted me to take care not to put myself second and encouraged me to step outside of myself and speak my mind and be loud and clear about what I needed to get a job done. It was good advice that I have heeded during my career. I would like to give you my condolences. I hope you will enjoy your memories of her and talk often about her.