Anne Bornand Walchli, 93

Wellsville, NY - Anne Bornand Walchli, 93, passed away at home on July 17, 2021 after a brief illness. Anne Stephens Bornand was born October 14, 1927 in Westfield, New York, the daughter of Jeanette Stephens Cochrane and Max Arnold Bornand.

Mrs. Walchli graduated from Westfield Academy and High School in 1945. During high school she played clarinet in the school band, the cello in the orchestra, and accompanied both the boys and girls choirs on the piano. In addition, she was the substitute organist for the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and served as Class President her junior year and Class Vice-President her sophomore and senior years. Mrs. Walchli attended Elmira College and graduated in 1949 with a degree in math and music. Her senior piano recital was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. After graduating from college, Mrs. Walchli taught geometry and algebra at Wellsville High School from 1949 to 1951.

On August 4, 1951, Mrs. Walchli married John William Walchli at her home in Westfield, New York. As a loving and enthusiastic mom, Mrs. Walchli baked hundreds of cookies and cupcakes for her children’s classes, helped with math homework and played the piano when music was needed in classes or with high school musicals. She loved to knit and produced mittens and sweaters with intricate patterns. She supported Warm the Children and when the program ended would knit scarfs and send them to the elementary school with warm clothing. She loved winter sports. Every Saturday in the winter she would wake everyone at the crack of dawn and start loading skis and poles in the car. When her children were small, she would build an ice-skating rink in the back yard.

Mrs. Walchli is survived by her children Barbara (Larry Seay), John Jr. (Lisa Clark) and Jim, and her grandsons Kyle (Brianna) and John Richard. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Bornand and Lou Ann Walchli and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Walchli was predeceased by her parents, her husband John Sr., daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) and sister Jan Tarleton, brother Jim Bornand and brother-in-law Edward Walchli.

Mrs. Walchli has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Wellsville since 1951 and taught Sunday school and vacation bible school for a number of years. Mrs. Walchli was active in Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, serving as a troop leader for both organizations. Mrs. Walchli was also a member of the Wellsville, NY branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) where she served in several officer positions.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wellsville High School (Elizabeth Walchli Scholarship Fund),126 W. State Street, Wellsville, New York 14895 or to a charity close to your heart. Friends may call at J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville Thursday August 5 between 4:30 and 7 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday August 6 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in Wellsville with the Rev. Craig Buelow and Rev. Donald Weaver presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.