Beth Goodman
Written by Cynthia Cornell Reardon:
Ann McAuliffe Cornell, one of Albion Michigan’s daughters, passed away on October 7, 2025, in Mount Dora, Florida. She was born in Albion, on May 25, 1934, to Lawrence and Marian McAuliffe. She had one brother, David Michael (Madeline) who preceded her in death, and two sisters, Carol Moerman (Rene) and Jane Rix (Terry). She had two children, Cynthia C. Reardon (B.J.) and Stephen D. Cornell.
She attended Washington Gardner High School where she was active in clubs. Mike once remarked that he wished he had her natural athleticism. She graduated in 1953. It was a surprise to both families that on March 5, 1955, Ann married Army PFC Harold J. Cornell, her high school sweetheart. Shortly after their ceremony, Ann joined Harold in Chinon, France. In France, in 1957, I, Cynthia Louise was born. I remember sitting on my mother’s lap while she read The Bible Story book to me “over and over.” Later, we returned to the United States, and my father enlisted in the U.S Air Force. We accompanied him to bases in Colorado, Louisiana, and Florida. In 1962, my brother, Stephen, was born at Tampa McDill Air Force Base.
In 1964, my mother rejoined her family in Albion, where she worked for the Union Steel Products Company. In 1971, our family moved to Jackson, Michigan, for my father’s job. In Jackson, Ann worked at Camp International as the Assistant Personnel Director. She loved working and enjoyed the friends she made. She had fun playing Euchre at lunch, bowling on a league, and driving her classic convertible around town. She later retired from Camp and moved to Florida where Steve and I had relocated.
In Florida, Ann continued doing office work. Fulfilling a dream, she bought a condo in Mount Dora overlooking Lake Saunders. Here, she enjoyed watching sandhill cranes and alligators. She took pride in organizing and making her home neat-and-tidy. When Ann finally retired from office work, she house -and -pet sat. Both home owners and the pets appreciated her good care; she would brush the cats and sing to the dogs. She wouldn’t adjust the homes’ thermostats; she said she would just wear a jacket. She enjoyed going for walks, putting together jigsaw puzzles, hooking rugs, watching movies, reading books and listening to music from the 40s and 50s. She was a good listener for her children.
Many family members visited Ann in Florida including her brother and sister-in-law, both sisters, two nieces (daughters of Carol) Christine Lack Elzinga and Elizabeth Lack Goodman (Scott), and her great niece, Lilyanne Andrews. Ann will be deeply missed by her family as she always made them feel loved, welcomed and appreciated. She told me that she thanked God for all he had given her.
In keeping with Ann’s wishes, privately, her ashes will be scattered in the tranquil beauty of Lakeside Memory Garden, Eustis, Florida, where she will be reunited with her brother, Mike.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.” – Unknown