Ann Margaret Kelly Levy

Ann Kelly Levy, a Tallahassee resident for six decades, passed in her sleep on Sunday, January 4, 2015, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's. Born in Denver, Colorado, Ann spent her elementary school years in Daytona, Florida with her mother and younger brother while her father served as a Colonel in the U. S. Army during World War II. After the war, the family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, where Ann was confirmed into the Church of the Little Flower. She swam in the Venetian pool, and played the piccolo in her high school marching band where she was a member of Coral Gables High School’s first graduating class in 1954. Upon graduation, she attended Florida State University, her mother's alma mater, where she was an active member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and met her husband of 56 years, Larry Eugene Levy. Ann and Larry were married in 1958 after both graduated from Florida State University that same year. Ann first recognized her passion for helping children and families while baby-sitting neighborhood children as a Girl Scout and embarked upon her career in early childhood education as an elementary school teacher in Atlanta, Georgia. After marrying Larry, she and her new husband moved to Albany, Georgia, where she taught school before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, so that Larry could attend law school. While in St. Pete, Ann taught second grade at Skyview Elementary School in Pinellas Park, and gave birth to their son, Loren. After supporting Larry through law school to his graduation in 1964, they moved to Tallahassee where Ann taught second grade at Kate Sullivan Elementary. Two years later her daughter, Melinda Ann (Lindy) was born. Ann taught at Faith Presbyterian Church and the FSU Demonstration School before returning to FSU to pursue a Masters in Early Childhood Education. After completing her Masters degree, she was recruited by an innovative U.S Department of Education program called "New Adventure in Learning". As part of this new nationwide educational initiative, Ann traveled throughout the United States as top staff for the National Diffusion Network program providing technical assistance to large and small, rich and poor, rural and inner-city teachers and including administrators. In 1985 Ann earned her Doctorial degree in Early Childhood Education and continued her education policy leadership while serving as Staff Director to the Florida House of Representatives’ Education Committee. She also served as Adjunct Professor and Project Director for the Florida Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy. Ann rounded off her career by returning to preschool, undergraduate and graduate classrooms in her role as Director of the Educational Research Center for Child Development at FSU. Dr. Ann Levy served on many local, state and national professional boards, advisory groups and task forces throughout her life. She was elected by her peers to the Governing Board of Directors for the National Association for the Education of Young Children; and the President of the Southeastern Early Childhood Association. In Florida, she served as Chair of the State Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Services established by the Florida Legislature; and was President of the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children. She was one of the longest serving Board members for Florida Children’s Forum, serving both as a member and Chair of the Board. Ann was dedicated to her Leon County community as well, serving as President of the Leon County Association for the Education of Young Children; and President of Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend for many years. For several decades Ann guided these associations with her gentle demeanor yet firm dedication for early care and education initiatives. "I am very proud and honored to serve on the Florida Children’s Forum Board," said Ann. "Since it's founding, the Forum has worked and supported efforts to provide the very best in quality services for children and their parents." Ann was honored by her peers to receive the 2006 Chiles Advocacy Award; and in 2005, the Budd Bell Child Advocate of the Year Award. In retirement, Ann continued to serve organizations as an early childhood consultant. "When I first started teaching in Florida, there were no public kindergartens or any type of public programs for young children," Ann explained. "There was no regulation and very little training for the caregivers." Ann felt that the childcare workforce had come a long way in her lifetime, but there was much needed to improve the field so that every young child could obtain a high-quality education. "Every child deserves to have the best care and education. Every parent deserves to know their children are safe, happy and well cared for and every caregiver deserves to have the best training and education." Ann had explained to numerous groups over the years. When Ann wasn’t working for the betterment of all children she was delighting in her interactions with her five grandchildren, family and friends. Ann experienced a life well lived and those who were lucky enough to have known her will always remember her fondly with love. Ann Margaret Kelly Levy is survived by: Larry Eugene Levy (Husband); T. Mitchell Kelly (Brother); Loren Eugene Levy (Son); Lindy Levy Kennedy (Daughter); and Grandchildren: Ann Kelly Kennedy, Ellorie Kamber Levy, Mary Kathleen Kennedy, McIver Elise Levy, and Thomas Patrick Kennedy. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Jefferson Kelly and Kathleen Rannow Kelly. A graveside memorial service for family members will be held Friday, January 9, 2015, at 3:00 p.m., at Tallahassee Memory Gardens. Additionally, a celebration reception will be held Friday, January 30th, 2015 at Dorothy B. Oven Park from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrance donations be made to Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend at www.kidsincorporated.org/give, or the National Association for the Education of Young Children Lasting Legacy Leadership Scholarship program at http://www.naeyc.org/legacy/scholarship. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements

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Ann Margaret Kelly Levy

October 15, 1936 - January 4, 2015