Ann C. Tobey

Ann Christle Tobey, 88, of Aurora, NY passed away on Friday, May 27, 2022, at the Cayuga Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ithaca.  She was born December 6, 1933, in Norwich, New York the daughter of John and Mary Tobey of Afton. 

            She graduated from Afton Central School in 1951 and went on to the New York State College for Teachers in Albany where she graduated in 1955.  Ann then attended Columbia University in New York City graduating with her Master’s Degree in American History in 1958.  This was the start to her long career in education.

Initially Ann taught social studies at Draper High School in Schenevus, NY from 1955-1957.  She then moved to Aurora, NY to teach secondary social studies at Sherwood Central School from 1958-1964.  Sherwood merged with two other schools to become Southern Cayuga Central School and after receiving her NYS Guidance Instructor certification in 1968, she became Director of Pupil Personnel Services there.  She received her certification in Administration and Supervision in 1973 and served as Middle School Principal and Director of Special Education at Southern Cayuga from 1973-1990.

She retired in June of 1990 but was then asked, and subsequently appointed, to be Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the Town of Webb School in Old Forge from 1991-1993.  Ann always loved teaching and helping others so was happy to fill the position to assist the school.  She then retired again to enjoy some of her passions including travel, reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.  She remained an advocate of education the rest of her life.

Ann spent much of her time working in her garden, spending time with close friends, and being part of the Aurora community.  She spent many hours reading and researching a wide variety of topics from history to genealogy to geology.  Ann served on the Board of the Howland Stone Store Museum, was a diligent chair of its Collection Committee, and was a docent at the museum for many years.  She was particularly interested in the Woman’s Suffrage movement which she studied in detail most of her life.  She served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Patrick’s Church, on the Village of Aurora Zoning Board of Appeals, and with the Aurora Historical Society.

Ann learned to effectively use the internet to search out information and to stay in contact with her relatives and friends across the country and world.  She made trips back and forth to all her family up and down the East Coast from Bristol, RI; to Norfolk, VA; to Oneonta, NY; and everywhere in-between.  She cared for her parents in Afton for many years, and their siblings often taking the 5 M’s on drives through the countryside (Mary, Mable, Marian, Maude, and Margaret).  Ann became the matriarch of the family, the caring grandmotherly figure commonly known to many people as “Aunt Ann,” her almost constant moniker.   

Ann is survived by her sister and husband, Irene and Ron Zablocki of Afton, NY.  Her niece Theresa Zablocki and great nieces Mary and Laura Richards of Norfolk, VA.  By her nephew and wife, David and Susan Morell, and their three children Andrew, Bradley, and Emily of Oneonta, NY.  And cousin and husband, Dawn and Bill Brodrick of Bristol, RI.  She was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary Tobey; her sister Alice Morell; her nephew Michael Zablocki; and niece Karen Zablocki.

A service to celebrate the life of Ann Tobey will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11am at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Aurora, NY.  A reception will follow at the Aurora Inn.  Burial will be the following day June 28th at 12noon at Glenwood Cemetery in Afton, NY.

Memorial Donations in Ann’s name may be made to the Aurora Fire Department Ambulance Fund, PO Box 71, Aurora, NY 13026; or a charity of your choice.

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