Ann Cheevers Kolb, who served two terms during the 1970s as president of the Morris school board, died on April 3 in Manhattan from COVID-19. She was 78.
Kolb was born in New York City, grew up in Yonkers and was a graduate of Fordham University School of Education. There she competed for the school on the national debate team circuit.
She moved to Morris Township in 1970, with her husband and two children, and joined the Morris Board of Education in 1974. She was elected board president. At the time, the school district was under an order to racially integrate the schools of Morristown and Morris Township. Ann Kolb helped steer the district and the communities successfully through the difficult and controversial process. “Ann is remembered as a strong, decisive woman who led the school district with kindness and compassion,” noted an article in the Morristown Daily Record, “She took a strong stand against violence and threats at a tumultuous time when hateful letters sent to her home necessitated police protection.”
Her family moved to Washington, D.C., then later to New York City. In the 1990s, she opened Ann Kolb Gallery in East Hampton, N.Y.
Ann is survived by her husband of 56 years, Daniel F. Kolb; children Daniel C. Kolb and Suzanne M. Kolb; daughter-in-law Heather Ogilvie Kolb; grandchildren Danny, Matthew, Katie and Robbie; and three of her siblings, Mary Wittekindt, Owen Cheevers and Theresa Jablonski.