Obituary of Ann F. Kanally

Port Allegany, PA – Ann Forssell Kanally died of natural causes on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Bradford Ecumenical Home in Bradford, PA.  She was 96.

The only child of Louis A.V. and Ruth Anderson Forssell, she was born in Titusville, PA on October 31, 1926.  She and her parents made their permanent residence in Erie, PA in 1928.  She was a graduate of Academy High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from Villa Maria College, now merged with Gannon University in Erie.

On June 11, 1949, she married Donald E. “Dek” Kanally at Bethany Lutheran Church in Erie, and moved to Port Allegany, where she resided for nearly 70 years.  Her final years were spent in the care of the Bradford Ecumenical Home in Bradford, PA.

Her teaching career began in Conneaut, OH, and resumed in 1961 at the Port Allegany High School, where she was a business education teacher and a counselor for thirteen years. She then filled the position of Director of Management Services and Nonpublic School Services Coordinator at Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit IX, until her retirement in 1993.

She was a member, deacon and choir member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Port Allegany.  She was also associated with the PA Association of School Business Officials, Delta Kappa Gamma, and served as a board member of the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

She enjoyed music, crossword puzzles, playing bridge, spending time with her grandchildren, keeping alive some of the family’s Swedish traditions, and the joy of special friendships.

Her beloved husband, Dek, passed away on March 21, 2021.  She is survived by her son David (Cheryl) Kanally of Coppell, TX, son Kevin Kanally of Derrick City, granddaughter Lauren, grandsons Brian, Eric and Jamos, and extended family Terry, Sally and Quentin Claypool.

Friends, former students and colleagues are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Allegany with Garen Smith officiating.  An opportunity to visit with the family and enjoy a light luncheon will follow the service in the social area of the church.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Port Allegany, following the luncheon. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Port Allegany or the S.W. Smith Public Library.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.