Ann Makool

Makool, Ann Wykes SUN PRAIRIE-Ann Wykes Makool, age 86, formerly of Oregon, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec.12, 2009, at Meriter Hospital in Madison. She was born on April 5, 1923, in Port Henry, N.Y., to Isabel and Lewis Masterson. The youngest of nine children, Ann was much loved by her family, and several of her oldest siblings were very influential in her upbringing and always watched out for her well-being. She was a lifelong Presbyterian and attended Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, at the time of her death. Ann's mother, Isabel, believed strongly in the importance of education, and Ann inherited that belief from her. After graduating from high school in Port Henry, Ann left home at 18 and went to a business college in Boston, Mass., for one year. She then worked for the Arthur P. Schmidt Music Publishing Co. in Boston prior to accepting a job with Naval Intelligence there in 1942, during World War II. She worked as a secretary in the Chaplain's Office at Headquarters of the 1st Naval District and retained fond memories of that experience for the rest of her life. In late 1944, when the war was almost over, Ann left Naval Intelligence to pursue her passion for education. She attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania for one semester and then transferred to Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pa., where she earned a bachelor of arts degree. She went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and obtained a master of arts degree in English literature. Ann then joined the faculty of Lincoln Junior High School in Beloit, as an English teacher. She taught there for three years before being awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in The Netherlands (Holland) for 11 months. She taught at the Quakerskool Eerde boarding school in Ommen from 1953 to 1954, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. When Ann returned to the United States, she resumed her teaching job in Beloit. On July 14, 1956, Ann and Lloyd George Makool, another Beloit teacher, were married in Port Henry. Ann and Lloyd settled in Janesville, Lloyd's birthplace, and had three children between 1957 and 1961. Ann was a loving and devoted mother. Lloyd taught United States history at Janesville High School until 1962 when the family moved to New Jersey so he could attend Princeton Seminary and study to become a minister. After Lloyd received his bachelor of divinity degree, the family returned to Wisconsin. Lloyd was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1965, and Ann's second career as a "minister's wife" began soon after. Lloyd and Ann loved their respective roles as minister and minister's wife, and together, over the years, they served congregations in Hamilton Square, N.J., Hagar City, Arpin, Cambridge, Shopiere, Juda and Caledonia . Both Ann and Lloyd were well loved by their parishioners. Ann was a gifted writer and a lover of words. She was passionate about the game of Scrabble and about crossword puzzles. For approximately seven years, while living in Cambridge, she wrote a weekly newspaper column called "Bits and Pieces" for the Cambridge News. Later, while living in Oregon, she self-published a book of her poetry and also a children's book "Batty's Up" about a friendly little bat. She loved birds and animals and nature, and much of her writing reflects her concern for and appreciation of these aspects of the world. In her later years, even while dealing with some challenging limitations to her health, Ann was respected and loved by many for her spunkiness, her sense of humor, her determination, and her graciousness toward others. Her long-time motto, always expressed with optimism and faith in God, was, "One day at a time!" Ann is survived by her husband, Lloyd Makool of Sun Prairie; her three children, Jonathan Makool of Madison, Becky Makool of Eagle River, Alaska, and Rachel Makool and son-in-law, John Alt of San Francisco, Calif.; her former daughter-in-law, Doreen Davis of Wisconsin; her grandsons, Nathanael Makool and Matthew Mockross; her husband's uncle, Joseph Melan of Janesville; her brother, Allen Masterson (Audrey) of Port Henry; and by her many nieces and nephews. Ann was preceded in death by seven of her siblings, William Masterson, Ruth Donnelly, Sally Chilson, Gertrude Champagne, Louise Farrell, Lois Block and Charles Masterson. A visitation and "Celebration of Life" Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, from 10 a.m. until noon. Memorials honoring Ann Makool can be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison; Janesville Presbyterian Church, Janesville; Oregon Senior Center, Oregon, and the Alzheimer's Association. \r\n \r\n Memorials: Memorials honoring Ann Makool can be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison; Janesville Presbyterian Church, Janesville; Oregon Senior Center, Oregon, and the Alzheimer's Association. Visitation: A visitation and "Celebration of Life" Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, from 10 a.m. until noon. Service: A visitation and "Celebration of Life" Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, from 10 a.m. until noon.