Ann O. Gebhard

Ann O. Gebhard, 90, of Canterbury Woods Retirement Center in Williamsville, died on December 29th, 2020 at Milliard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, Buffalo, NY. The cause of death was complications of the COVID-19 virus.

Ann is survived by her husband, Louis A. Gebhard; daughters, Catherine Zweig, Jean (Thomas) McManus, Margaret (Domenick) Gebhard, Elizabeth (Craig) Gebhard, and son, Louis (Jill) Gebhard. In addition, Ann is survived by grandchildren: Clare (John ) Zweig, Ian (Nia) Zweig, Neil McManus, Anna Sciaruto, Alex Sciaruto, Patrick Zweig, Ellie Gebhard, Katie Gebhard, and Owen Gebhard; nephews and nieces: Warren Christian (Sally-Jo) Madsen, Caroline Gebhard, James (Patricia) Gebhard, Robert (Sally) Gebhard and Elaine (Ben) King. Ann was preceded in death by her sister, Jean Helen Madsen.

Ann was born on April 12, 1930 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Catherine and Peter O’Connell. She graduated from Dickinson High School in 1947. She went on graduate from Montclair State University in 1951. Ann taught drama and English in various high schools chiefly Hackensack High School until 1959. On June 28, 1958, Ann married the love of her life, Louis A. Gebhard whom she met at Montclair State University. Ann went on to earn a master’s degree from The Breadloaf School in Middlebury, Vermont and a PhD from Syracuse University. Her dissertation entitled, “Writing Quality and Syntax: A Transformational Analysis of Three Prose Samples” (October 1978) won an award from the Danforth Foundation and resulted in several publications in leading journals in the field of English Education. Ann taught secondary English education and composition studies at Syracuse University, Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland. Ann became President of the New York State English Council in 1987. She then created a regional chapter of NYSEC, called Finger Lakes English Educators representing Central New York. Ann continued teaching at SUNY Cortland, and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1998.

Ann and Lou lived in Cortland, NY from 1965 until 2014: They formed deep bonds in the Cortland Community. Ann was very active in several charities and organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Access to Independence. Ann loved to entertain family and friends at her beloved home at 14 Williams Street in Cortland. As Ann’s daughter, Cathy fondly recalls, “Our home was often full of people. Friends, family, colleagues, students came to eat, to drink, and to talk. Always to talk.”

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ann’s name to Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties: www.tchabitat.com