Ann M. Meehan

Ann M.

Meehan

Ann died peacefully on Feb. 1, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was 58 years old. Ann was born and raised in Rugby, N.D., by her parents, Wanda and Milt Nielsen, with her siblings, Al, Dewey and Nancy. In 1970, Ann graduated from Rugby High School and began college at the University of North Dakota. She transferred to the University of Denver in 1972 and received her B.A. Cum Laude in 1974. Ann attended graduate school at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, studying respiratory physiology. It was here that she met and fell in love with Jim Meehan. She received her M.S. in 1977 and PhD in 1980. Ann then accepted a position at the College of Veterinary Medicine University of Wisconsin – Madison as a researcher and lecturer. Ann and Jim kept up a long distance relationship between Ames and Madison for three years before they were engaged. They were married in Rugby, N.D., on July 7, 1984. The newlyweds made Stoughton, Wis., their first home while Ann continued her research career.

In June 1985, their first son, Patrick, was born. Ann’s family then moved to Ames, Iowa, and Ann put her research on hold to become a full-time mom. Family was her priority and in July 1987, their second son, Samuel, was born. In 1993, the Meehans moved to Madison, Wis., until 1997, when they left Madison and settled in Chazy, N.Y.

Ann was an eternal optimist, living each day to the fullest. She always “took time to smell the roses,” and loved stargazing, birding and gardening. She accepted all forms of challenges from helping a student “get the whole picture” to managing the construction of her home in Chazy.

Ann was a track and field star in high school and a professional water skier in the Tommy Bartlett Show at the Wisconsin Dells during college. Ann loved interacting with people and never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation and leave a lasting memory. But above all, Ann loved learning and teaching; she was and will always be a teacher. Ann has taught formally at all levels from elementary school classrooms to university lecture halls. But perhaps more importantly, Miss Ann taught outside of the classroom. So many people have been touched by Ann’s words and actions and so many people have benefited from her teaching. Ann used to say: “You can do it all.” She truly has.

Memorial services to celebrate Ann’s life will be held this summer at Sacred Heart parish in Chazy, N.Y., and in Rugby, N.D. Donations can be made to the Chazy Public Library or to the Heart of America Library, Rugby, N.D.

Ann is survived by her mother, Wanda; husband, Jim; children, Patrick (wife Liz) and Samuel; and siblings, Al, Dewey and Nancy.