Counting 'em Down: For better or for worse, this is the Headline Surfer countdown of the 2021's Top 100 biggest news stories of Central Florida along the tourism-driven stretch of Interstate 4 (Orlando Attractions and east to I-95 & the World's Most Famous Beach in Daytona). Each recap segment is posted with its own headline, culminating with the unveiling of No. 1 on New Year's Day or shortly thereafter. Then Headline Surfer will post a Top 10 forecast story of the good, the bad & the ugly on the horizon in "2022: The Year That Lies Ahead."
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DELAND, Fla. -- The posting on social media the morning of April 26, sent shockwaves throughout Volusia County's political community.
Deltona's Ann McFall, described as a "champion for Volusia County," was dead at age 68.
"This morning, the Honorable Ann McFall passed away peacefully," Lisa Lewis, successor as supervisor of elections, posted on her Facebook page. "Ann was a champion for Volusia County having served as Supervisor of Elections, on County Council and School Board."
Lewis added of McFall, who was married, and a mother and grandmother: "She opened schools, chaired boards and committees and brought new voting equipment to the county. Her dedication and commitment to this county was unwavering."
Lewis continued, "Today we remember Ann and thank her for all her service to our county."
"This morning, the Honorable Ann McFall passed away peacefully," Lisa Lewis (shown here at right with Pat Northey and McFall), posted on her Facebook page. "Ann was a champion for Volusia County having served as Supervisor of Elections, on County Council and School Board."
Lewis added of McFall, who was married, and a mother and grandmother: "She opened schools, chaired boards and committees and brought new voting equipment to the county. Her dedication and commitment to this county was unwavering."
Lewis continued, "Today we remember Ann and thank her for all her service to our county."
Lewis, who succeeded McFall as supervisor of elections in 2016, told Headline Surfer that McFall "had some ongoing health issues" leading up to her death this morning at Advent Hospital in Orange City. Lewis did not elaborate.
Friends and colleagues reacted with sadness to the news.
"Such a wonderful and caring person," said longtime friend Mary Bruno, wife of former elected County Chair Frank Bruno. "I was blessed to work with her on both the school board and county council. We even shared our birthdays!"
Tappie Villane, another friend, added on Lewis' Facebook posting, "So sad, Ann was such an incredible lady. Thoughts and prayers for her family."
McFall was the supervisor of elections from 2005 to 2016. Before that, she served on the Volusia County Council and prior to that on the Volusia County School board where she was elevated to chair.
Headline Surfer reached out to former county chair and ex-longtime Ormond Beach Mayor Ed Kelley on McFall's passing.
Kelley, who was elected county chairman in 2016, and who served in that office for four years before retiring from political office at the end of 2020, had this to say about McFall when contacted that afternoon: "Ann served Our community for years professionally and competently with integrity."
Like many others who knew and worked with McFall over the years, some were especially shocked at the news of her passing given she was only 68.
"Wow," reacted Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette when informed of her death by Headline Surfer in a text message.
"Very sad to hear of the passing of Ann McFall," Burnette responded. "She was a longtime admired public servant in our county. She did a lot of work to help modernize our elections office - (and) was a very fair-minded individual."
Burnette added, her passing is "a real loss for us all - my condolences to her daughter, Michelle, and the rest of her family."
Kathy Stewart, a longtime judicial assistant in circuit court, who retired at 54 from her job back in 2004, was shocked by the news, too, having seen an earlier version of the Headline Surfer story in social media.
So sorry to hear that!" Kathy Stewart said. "Just way too young. My thoughts and prayers are with the family!"
Former longtime county councilwoman Pat Northey, who was traveling, told Headline Surfer McFall in a series of messages that McFall would be remembered as "a fierce advocate for her family her community and was a trusted public servant."
She started her service as a school board member and was "instrumental" in the opening of a number of new schools.
"I will always remember our time for 10 days in 2000 when we served on the canvassing board during the Gore v. Bush election."
"Ann suffered no fools, especially some of the attorneys (on both sides)," Northey recalled. "We worked 12-hour days together. And I was always aware of her sense of fairness.
Bio: Ann McFall (summary provided by her daughter, Michelle McFall-Conte):
• McFall began her public service career with the Deltona Municipal Services District Advisory Board, a panel established by Volusia County government to make recommendations on policies and improvements for the sprawling community before its incorporation as a city in 1996;
• In 1986, McFall ran for and won the District 5 seat (greater Deltona) on the Volusia County School Board. She was re-elected in 1990, during which she also served as chair, 1991-92;
• Defeated for re-election in 1994, McFall then campaigned and won the District 5 seat on the County Council, including a stint as its chair in 1992;
• McFall was elected Volusia County elections supervisor in 2004 and served in the elected office until 2016.
OBITUARY: Ann McFall, political & community servant:
Ann E. McFall, 68, of Deltona passed away Monday, April 26, 2021, at Advent Health Hospice Care, Orange City.
She was born in Daytona Beach to the late Mary and Merrill Straub, Jr.
Ann McFall attended Lennox Avenue Elementary School, graduated in 1970 from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Stetson University in DeLand.
She and her husband, Bob McFall, moved to Deltona in 1974 from Daytona Beach. She owned McFall & Associates Accounting and Tax Service in Deltona.
In addition to her extensive political career with the school board and county council, Ann McFall was dedicated to her family and her community, serving on the early MSD board in Deltona, volunteered as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, and was a member and president of the Deltona Junior Woman’s Club. She most enjoyed her time with her children and grandchildren and fishing with her husband, Bob, in the Halifax River in Daytona Beach.
In addition to her extensive political career with the school board and county council, Ann McFall was dedicated to her family and her community, serving on the early MSD board in Deltona, volunteered as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader, and was a member and president of the Deltona Junior Woman’s Club. She most enjoyed her time with her children and grandchildren and fishing with her husband, Bob, in the Halifax River in Daytona Beach.
Ann McFall is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert D. “ Bob” McFall, Deltona; daughter, Michele McFall-Conte (Nick) of DeBary; son, Joe McFall ( Erin) of Atlanta, GA; two sisters, Charlotte Styles of Belton, SC and Helen Johnson of Doddridge, of Ark; and four grandchildren; Ainsley and Robert Conte and Jack and Fiona McFall.
A Celebration of McFall's life was held on May 1, at The Center at Deltona. Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, Orange City, has charge of arrangements
The family preferred memorial donations in her memory to the Futures Foundation for Volusia County Schools, 3750 Olson Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32124 or at their website, futuresvolusia.org. Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, Orange City, had charge of arrangements - www.deltonamemorialfuneralhome.com.
About the Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is a member of the working press and publisher of Headline Surfer, the award-winning 24/7 internet news outlet launched in 2008, that serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando from Lake Mary, Florida via HeadlineSurfer.com. Frederick has amassed close to 150 award-winning bylines in print & online. He earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in 2019. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade. And Before that worked the same beat for The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. • Award-Winning Journalism: Florida Press Club recognizes Headline Surfer for nine stories in 2020 statewide competition. • Award-Winning Journalism of Henry Frederick.