Ann McGovern McIntyre, 94, passed on September 14, 2024 on her beloved farm in Brighton Township. She was born to Elizabeth and John F. McGovern in Beaver on October 16, 1929. She was preceded in death by her husband James H. McIntyre. She is survived by her only child, Elisabeth (“Lisa”) McIntyre, her son-in-law John Gribar, and her three beloved grandchildren, John, Ben and Case Gribar. She was a graduate of Grove City College and then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in social work from Tulane University in 1956.
After graduation, Ann returned to Beaver County and became the Director of Beaver County’s Child Welfare Services in 1956. Following her marriage to James H. McIntyre in 1962, the couple re-located to Cincinnati where Ann worked as an Adoption Supervisor. The couple returned to Beaver County in 1966. Ann then held various administrative mental health positions in Beaver County, including Administrative Director of the Community Mental Health Center and ultimately Director of the Beaver County Mental Health Base Service Unit. She retired in 1996, but continued to work as a Mental Health Consultant for Beaver County into her eighties. Ann was also the owner and operator of the McIntyre Tree Farm in Brighton Township for over 60 years.
When Ann was 25, she asked her parents for 1,000 pine tree seedlings for Christmas to pursue her dream of owning a tree farm. She officially began selling Christmas trees on McIntyre Farm a decade later. Ann spent many wonderful days on her farm planting and trimming trees in preparation for Christmas time. For Ann, the farm was less about the business of Christmas trees and much more about helping families make cherished memories. She viewed countless repeat customers as family. At age 88, she was interviewed by The Times about the success of her long-standing business and said, “if you can sit in a chair, you can sit on a tractor.” This quote is the epitome of Ann, who had an engaging energy, incredible sense of humor and a great love of helping families find “the perfect tree.”
Ann was also an avid equestrian from a very young age. As a child, she took the money her mother gave her for piano lessons and used it to take riding lessons. Her mother caught on quickly when Ann was only able to play one song at the piano recital. She grew up riding Saddlebred horses and showed both Saddlebreds and fine harness horses, including a World Champion fine harness horse. Ann was also a great lover of dogs and had many wonderful Dobermans, Boxers, Labradors and muts over the years. The dogs earned their keep by alerting Ann to Christmas tree customers arriving at the farm.
Ann was a devoted, loving mother to her daughter, Lisa. They shared the joys of daily farm work; selling Christmas trees, chasing naughty puppies and riding horses. Ann’s tireless work ethic allowed her to balance the demands of full-time work and the hectic weekends carting Lisa, her friends and ponies to horse shows far and wide.
Ann was thrilled when Lisa met and married John. She very much enjoyed discussing farm equipment with him and they loved to join forces to poke fun at Lisa. Ann’s grandchildren loved “Grammy Mac” with all their hearts, and what was not to love about a grandmother who took you for endless tractor rides and then filled your tummy with potato chips, ice cream cones and chocolates.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, where a service will be held on Friday, September 20 at 11 a.m. Private family internment will be held following the service in Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at williammurphyfuneralhomeinc.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa.
Ann leaves wishes of “love and Merry Christmas!” to all her devoted friends, neighbors and tree customers.
When Ann was 25, she asked her parents for 1,000 pine tree seedlings for Christmas to pursue her dream of owning a tree farm. She officially began selling Christmas trees on McIntyre Farm a decade later. Ann spent many wonderful days on her farm planting and trimming trees in preparation for Christmas time. For Ann, the farm was less about the business of Christmas trees and much more about helping families make cherished memories. She viewed countless repeat customers as family. At age 88, she was interviewed by The Times about the success of her long-standing business and said, “if you can sit in a chair, you can sit on a tractor.” This quote is the epitome of Ann, who had an engaging energy, incredible sense of humor and a great love of helping families find “the perfect tree.”
Ann was also an avid equestrian from a very young age. As a child, she took the money her mother gave her for piano lessons and used it to take riding lessons. Her mother caught on quickly when Ann was only able to play one song at the piano recital. She grew up riding Saddlebred horses and showed both Saddlebreds and fine harness horses, including a World Champion fine harness horse. Ann was also a great lover of dogs and had many wonderful Dobermans, Boxers, Labradors and muts over the years. The dogs earned their keep by alerting Ann to Christmas tree customers arriving at the farm.
Ann was a devoted, loving mother to her daughter, Lisa. They shared the joys of daily farm work; selling Christmas trees, chasing naughty puppies and riding horses. Ann’s tireless work ethic allowed her to balance the demands of full-time work and the hectic weekends carting Lisa, her friends and ponies to horse shows far and wide.
Ann was thrilled when Lisa met and married John. She very much enjoyed discussing farm equipment with him and they loved to join forces to poke fun at Lisa. Ann’s grandchildren loved “Grammy Mac” with all their hearts, and what was not to love about a grandmother who took you for endless tractor rides and then filled your tummy with potato chips, ice cream cones and chocolates.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 at the William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, where a service will be held on Friday, September 20 at 11 a.m. Private family internment will be held following the service in Beaver Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at williammurphyfuneralhomeinc.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Broadhead Road, Aliquippa.
Ann leaves wishes of “love and Merry Christmas!” to all her devoted friends, neighbors and tree customers.