Ann Tickner Jankowski of Fair Haven passed away peacefully April 19, 2026, at her home surrounded by loved ones.
Ann lived a fulfilling life, spending quality time with family and friends, traveling the world, going to the beach, listening to music, attending concerts, visiting museums, collecting antiques and advertising pieces, hiking and relaxing with her many cats over the years. She is remembered for her compassion, intellect, tenacity, optimism, kind smile and warm embraces.
Ann grew up in Bay Head and Mantoloking and was a true “Jersey Girl.” She gradually moved up the coast, eventually settling in Fair Haven. Ann was a graduate of Monmouth University, earning both her B.A. and M.B.A. She also received an M.F.A. from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. In her younger years, Ann was a talented artist, creating sculptures, as well as clothing and accessories out of leather. She spent time in the art industry, first exhibiting her own work and teaching as an adjunct, and later managing and procuring for a large private collection.
Ann eventually found her professional home of nearly 30 years at Brookdale Community College. She worked as the administrator of Transfer Resources/Articulation, building transfer agreements with four-year universities. Ann’s favorite part of her job was helping students get where they wanted to be. After retiring, Ann was recognized as Administrator Emerita.
While Ann had a rewarding career, her family was her pride and joy. After falling ill, Ann said gratefully that she had done everything she wanted to do and loved her life, primarily thanks to her husband, Edward, and daughter, Alexis.
Ann is predeceased by her husband, Edward Jankowski; her mother, Phyllis Sudlow Tickner; her father, Reginald Tickner Jr.; and her brother, Reginald Tickner III. She is survived by her daughter Alexis Jankowski and son-in-law Peter Stumpf of Red Bank; her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Thomas Lehmann, of Long Branch; her nephews, Austin Lehmann and his wife Carrie and their daughter Keegan of Seattle, Washington, and Wesley Lehmann and his wife Kelsey and their daughter Liliana of Freehold.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. May 8 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. For condolences, please visit thompsonmemorial.net. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Pancreatic Cancer Research at Memorial Sloan Kettering at giving.mskcc.org.
The article originally appeared in the April 30 – May 6, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
