HOLMGREN Dr. WILLY ANN, Ph.D. Willy Ann passed peacefully on November 27, 2015, after a courageous battle with vasculitis. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 62 years John; daughters, Elizabeth and Ann; younger brother, William; son-in-law, Phil; and granddaughters, Christina and Julia. Willy Ann was a brilliant professor and educator who inspired all she met. Her leadership, selflessness and loving heart touched many. Willy Ann was born in New Rochelle, New York , daughter to the late Andrew and Francenia Erickson of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She crisscrossed the United States while growing up and met her future husband while in Washington. She graduated at the University of Florida Summa Cum Laude, with Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honors and continued to pursue her master's. Willy Ann and John married in 1953 and moved to Albuquerque where she taught at the University of New Mexico. The couple then moved east and settled in Upper St. Clair in 1963 where she raised two daughters and pursued her Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh in Communications, graduating in 1974. Willy Ann loved teaching and her students loved her. She was a professor at Robert Morris University, where she introduced the well received Industrial Communications Program, expanding communications into graphic arts, public speaking, team collaboration and business. She continued bridging industry and education programs, helping to create and open the Robert Morris Center for Leadership. She was the Director until her retirement in 1997. Willy Ann was an active volunteer in the community, working with Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon to help establish Cable TV programming to better serve both communities. She received the Certificate of Service from Upper St. Clair for her outstanding work on the Cable Television Committee. Willy Ann served as Judge of Elections in Upper St. Clair for 30 years and was a contributing member of the International Industrial Television Association and the D.A.R. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling with John to China, Africa and Europe and closer to home helping Elizabeth with her business, gardening and spending time with family. Willy Ann, (mom), we surround you with love and miss you greatly. Burial will be private with messages accepted at Beinhauer.com. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb