Ann Naomi Turowski Mead died Monday, March 27, 2017, in the company of her family, after a long illness. Ann was born on August 2, 1949, in Chicago, the daughter of Dr. Jacek “Jack” Turowski, D.O., and Helen Naomi Piron Turowski, and grew up in Avon Lake, Ohio. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy (Cleveland, Ohio), and earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and a Master of Music from the State University of New York at Fredonia (New York).
Ann was a passionate advocate for music and arts education. She pursued a career as a music educator in Warren, Pennsylvania. Among other institutions and organizations, Ann taught in the Warren County School District, at St. Joseph’s School, at extension programs for Gannon University and Jamestown Community College, and at the Warren County Summer Music School, where she served as President of the Board for more than two-and-a-half decades, in addition to teaching private flute lessons. In 2014, Ann was featured in “American Graduate Day”, a documentary produced for public television featuring educators who help local youth stay on track to college and career success.
Ann was also an accomplished flutist and piccolo player. Ann began her career performing with a youth orchestra touring Europe. Among other engagements, she played flute and piccolo in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Warren Philharmonic, the orchestra of the Struthers Library Theatre’s summer theater (Warren, Pennsylvania) and the chamber trio, Mná Trí. Ann was also on the Boards of the Struthers Library Theatre and Erie Philharmonic, as well as a member of Philomel Club of Warren. Her other interests included gourmet cooking, gardening and reading.
Ann was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister and friend and is survived by her husband of 39 years, Kevin Mead; son, Brendan; daughter, Francesca (son-in-law, Alfred Wang); brothers, Dr. Paul Turowski of Hiram, Ohio, and John Turowski of Avon Lake, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Mary Elizabeth Don Sante.
The family will be mourning privately and no public memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family requests that contributions be made to the Warren County Summer Music School, P.O. Box 635, Warren, PA 16365-1719.
The family has entrusted the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren, PA., with final arrangements, e-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
My sympathies are extended to you and my heart hurts as I fondly remember Ann. She was my music teacher in Elementary School, and was one of my favorite teachers. My prayers are with you as you grieve through the empty space Ann filled so lovingly and cheerfully.
Kevin, Francesca and Brenden,
I send you my love and prayers at this most sad and difficult time. I am so sorry to hear of the death of Ann. What a strong, talented and loving woman she was. Please be assured of my continued prayer for each and all of you. How wonderful she was to me when I was Principal at St Joe’s.
Sister Kathryn Preston
Nathan Matthews forwarded this news to me. i was fortunate to perform at the Struthers Library Theater, and remember Ann with great admiration… Her engaging smile, and enormous talent. Ann Mead truly elevated our world.
Sending dearest wishes from NYC to all who love her.
My heartfelt condolences to her family, and to those in the family of music which she created and nurtured.
I can only hope she will continue to bless us with her courage, vision, kindness, wit, and warmth of spirit.
She is already sorely missed.
Kevin, Francesca and Brendan — I’m sending condolences and supportive thoughts from New Zealand to you as you grieve for Ann. I met Ann when we were both young women, when she taught flute lessons to my daughter Leda in your home, and you kids were just little. And now my grandchildren are enjoying the Warren County Summer Music School she fostered. I am thankful to Ann for telling me that adults were also welcome at WCSMS, and encouraging me to come along for harp classes a few years ago. I was fortunate enough to hear Ann perform with Joan and Vicky in Mna Tri. At this difficult time, I hope it is comforting for you to realize how Ann lives on in the hearts of so many of us whom she touched with her music, her generosity and her smile.
To Kevin, Francesca and Brendan, I am sending heartfelt sympathy to all of you. Mrs. Mead (could never just call her Ann) was a wonderful and talented woman. She was my chorus teacher at Allegheny Valley Elementary School in the 1970s and also became my flute teacher at the same time up through my graduation in 1987. She was so patient and kind with a scared little 7 year old kid. I remember hunting bagels that her dog would hide around the apartment she had in Warren before she married Mr. Mead.She will be greatly missed by so many people.
I am a high school classmate of Ann’s. I remember her well. In particular I recall her love for and accomplishments in music and dance. She did some ballet in high school and I remember her performing for our school at a talent show. In those days coming in everyday from Avon Lake to Saint Joseph Academy was a real trip. Avon Lake at that time was pretty rural and there were no highways to speak of. Ann was gentle, kind, very bright, and very talented. This is our 50th anniversary of graduation. We will all remember her very fondly and honor her presence among us so many years ago. My deepest sympathies to her loving family. May she rest in peace.