Ann Elizabeth Eilertson York McDonough

VENICE, Fla. – Ann Elizabeth Eilertson York McDonough of Venice, Fla. passed away April 13, 2021, after a brief illness.

She is remembered as a kind, giving and selfless person who always greeted everyone with a friendly smile, and many folks who met her considered her their best friend.

Ann was born July 9, 1933, in Boston to Arthur and Abbie Eilertson.

She graduated in 1951 at valedictorian of Dedham High School. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Colby College, graduating summa cum laude in 1955.

She married her first husband Thomas York of Dedham, Mass., in June 1955.

With Thomas they had four children: Linda Chance, Bill York, Louda York and Thomas York.

Ann remarried in 1999 to her college sweetheart William McDonough Jr., reuniting after 49 years. They married in 1999.

She enjoyed spending her life giving back, and helping people through the Methodist church, as well as through numerous community outreach and social programs, making many close friends along the way.

One of her favorite organizations was a prison ministry formed at the Cape Elizabeth Methodist Church known as My Sister’s Keeper, which provides mentorship for women transitioning from jail.

Ann spent the majority of her career with insurance company Cigna Corporation, and worked for several years on payroll projects for the helicopter industry.

She retired as a senior manager from Cigna in 1994.

A resident of Simsbury, Conn. for 41 years, Ann moved to Kennebunkport with husband William in 1999, and in 2004 they relocated to Cape Elizabeth before moving to Venice in 2013.

She is survived by husband, William H. McDonough Jr.; and her brother, Arthur Eilertson and his wife Gretchen.

She is also survived by her children Thomas York and wife Jennifer, son William York, daughter Louda York, and daughter Linda Chance and her husband John; stepsons Bill McDonough and his fiancée Maurine Lucas, Thomas McDonough, Jamey Heiss, David McDonough and his wife Katy; as well as grandchildren Abigail Chance and her husband Israel Buffardi, Olivia Chance, Graham Chance, Lucas York, Justin York, Natalie York, Autumn McDonough, Claire McDonough and Peter McDonough; and great-granddaughter, Nicola Buffardi.

The family is planning private memorial ceremonies in Simsbury and Portland, Maine for her this summer.

Should friends desire, the family recommends that contributions in tribute to Ann be offered to My Sister’s Keeper at ceumc.org/my-sisters-keeper/donations-to-MSK .


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