Obituary: Ann “Nee” Stephanie Poley

Ann Stephanie Poley (February 19, 1942 – December 1, 2024)

Ann “Nee” Stephanie Poley passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on December 1, 2024, at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor at the age of 82. Ann was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 19, 1942, and lived in Chelsea, Michigan. Ann was the daughter of Stephen Harvey and Lucille (McHenry) Nicholson.

There are no words that could capture the caliber of woman that Ann was, but here is the closest one could come to doing so:

Ann was a devout Catholic, having attended Catholic school as a young girl. She attended and became an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea after marrying her husband Howard Poley, Jr., and returned to her Catholic roots, attending St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea. Ann would always tell her friends and family she was “rolling the beads” for them when prayers were needed. Her rosary went with her wherever she went and was worn thin from use.

In her years of working, Ann was a school bus driver for Manchester Public Schools for 27 years. She also had a long list of part time jobs. After she retired, she became an active member of the Manchester Senior Citizens where she enjoyed helping with meal preparations and striking up conversations with friends and strangers alike.

Ann was a fierce woman and as tough as they come, yet one of the most kind, compassionate, and loving women to grace this Earth. Nobody knew this more than her husband, Howard, who she loved with all of her heart and soul; he was her dearest friend in life. Howard and Ann did everything as a couple, and took on challenges as a team.

Ann thoroughly enjoyed reading and would always carry a book with her. Ann loved animals, specifically cats, of which she had a large number, and birds, which she watched on her many bird feeders. She also loved to sit in public and watch people pass by. Ann enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Oscoda, Michigan during the summer months and relaxing.

Ann married Howard R. Poley, Jr. on February 14, 1996, at Zion Lutheran Church in Chelsea, and he survives. She is also survived by her sons, Mark (Tracy) Fenelon of Tecumseh, and Timothy (Terri) Fenelon of Brighton; her stepsons, Doug (Sarah) Poley of Grass Lake, and Dan Poley of Texarkana, Texas; six grandchildren, Frances and Jack Fenelon, Lauren and Aaron Fenelon, and Austin and Logann Poley; nieces, Kim (Mike) Smith, and Karen Dulle; two great-nieces, Megan and Courtney; and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Mary Pat Zackiewicz.

The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea, with the V. Rev. Dr. William J. Canon Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, in Chelsea. The family will receive friends at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 (with a vigil service at 7 p.m.), as well as at the church Thursday from 10-11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cascades Humane Society of Jackson, 1515 Carmen Dr., Jackson, MI 49202, or Faith in Action, 603 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI 48118.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.