“Ann” Tomes, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026, surrounded by family.
Born on November 12, 1935, in Springfield, Vermont, to Angelina B. Gosselin Hewey and Alfred M. Hewey, Ann was a generous, caring, and gentle soul. She never spoke an unkind word about anyone and showed compassion to all she met.
A talented artisan, Ann poured her creativity into hundreds of handmade pieces, including clothing, needlepointing, crocheting, holiday décor, quilts, and more. Her home always reflected her love for family, countless traveling adventures and crafting. When you walked into her apartment at Otterbein SeniorLife in Granville, Ohio, a large picture frame bearing the words, “All Because Two People Fell in Love” was prominently displayed. And what a love story it was.
When Ann was 24, her friend fell ill and asked Ann to take her place on a double blind date. Ann agreed and was paired with an equally kind and wonderful U.S. Air Force serviceman named Newman Tomes, who was born on February 16, 1938, in Kentucky to Edgar and Daphne Tomes. From the start, their connection was undeniable. They often laughed about how the only time Newman ever gave an immediate and a very firm “no” was during that very first date when his friend asked, “Do you want to switch dates?” It was love at first sight. Just two months later, on September 19, 1959, Ann and Newman were married, beginning a 59-year journey of love and devotion.
Together, they built a beautiful life. Newman retiring from Cooper Energy Services and Ann retiring from the Mount Vernon Developmental Center. They made the world a better place in countless ways. They raised two daughters and their family grew to include four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Being grandparents brought them immeasurable joy.
Though Ann’s heart never stopped mourning Newman after his passing on November 10, 2018, she carried on his memory by sharing stories of their life together. In her later years, she cherished phone calls and visits with family and friends, trips to the “money store,” listening to books on tape, and eating her beloved ice cream.
Ann’s loved ones will miss her beyond measure, but they find comfort in knowing she and Newman are reunited, continuing their love story for eternity.
She is survived by siblings Alfred (Barbara) Hewey, Mary Jane Smith, Raymond Wilkins, and Cathy Smith; brothers-in-law Sherman and Truman (Julie) Tomes; daughters Pam (Doug) Jones and Lisa Tomes; grandchildren Krystal (Josh) Somers, Cale (Kristen) Jones and Christopher Farrell; great-grandchildren Cora and Camden Jones; and many treasured nieces and nephews.
Ann was preceded in death by Newman; grandson Patrick Tomes; siblings Shirley Webb, Beatrice Prior Towsley, Donald and Richard Hewey, Vern and Avis Wilkins; brother-in-law Harold Tomes; and sisters-in-law Shirley, Roberta, and Kay Tomes.
The family wishes to thank Ann’s special nurses and aides, you know who you are, for taking such great care of Ann; Monica Semons for being such a dear friend; and Hospice of Newark for their compassionate care. A heartfelt thank you also goes to Ann’s niece, Robyn Prior Nelson, for her unwavering care and devoted love.
A celebration of life for both Ann and Newman will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Chapel – Roberts Funeral Home – 18260 Coshocton Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050. Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories of these two remarkable lives lived as one.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Central Ohio. Tributes can be left at www.robertsfuneralhome.com
Local flowers from Williams Flowers in Mount Vernon. https://www.williamsflowershop.com/
Funeral Home: Roberts Funeral Home
Website: https://www.robertsfuneralhome.com/