Letter from Dr. Sykoff on the Passing of Ann McNamara

Dear Members of the Ranney Community,

I recently learned that former Mayor of Tinton Falls, Ann McNamara passed away on November 14th. “Mayor Ann” was a close friend of Ranney School, partnering with the school and me on most of our capital expansion projects. The support she provided at the municipal level had an enormously positive impact on our Planning Board hearings. Her deep affection for our school and her close friendship will be sorely missed. As many of you know, we honored Ann starting in 1999 with the creation of the Ranney School Leadership Award given in honor of Ann. The award is given each year at graduation to a member of the senior class whose demonstrated, decisive, and successful leadership has resulted in observable achievements that enhanced the quality of life at school. Up until a few years ago, Ann joined us for graduation so she could offer her personal congratulations to the award recipients. I will be writing to each of them.

On a personal level, when I arrived at Ranney School in 1993, Ann reached out and welcomed me to Tinton Falls. She was always available when the school entered new expansion projects, and offered considerable guidance and mentoring. Ann also accepted many Ranney School invitations to student events and programs; she exhibited leadership in an honorable fashion and with great poise. Her presence on the Ranney campus represented not only an expression of respect for the school and its role in the Tinton Falls community, but it also spoke of her dedicated leadership to the people and institutions in the town she led.  She was more than a Mayor to me; she was a guide and beacon of optimism at times we needed to be reassured that our school was going to make it through the complexities of municipal hearings and the multitude of regulations and variances. Her steady and calm personality but strong commitment to doing the right thing for her community, are glorious memories. Character and ethical leadership defined her professional life, and her warm smile and welcoming hug a symbol of inner side. She was one of the most authentic people I have ever known. Ann was always at my side, and her friendship was a true gift. Such people live on forever in our hearts – she will definitely be a permanent part of our school’s history and her kindness and friendship an enduring blessing and cherished legacy.

Below are the details about Ann and the funeral arrangements. Ranney School will be making a donation to the Tinton Falls Library and placing a paver in her name in the Ranney crescent.

Ann Y. McNamara, Former Mayor of Tinton Falls
http://www.bongarzonefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Anny-Mcnamara/#/Obituary

Kind regards,
Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D.
Head of School

You can view a letter from Dr. Sykoff featured on Two River Times - 'Mayor Ann' Remembered as a 'Beacon of Optimism'.