Ann Favreau's life exemplifies service through her roles as a wife, mother, teacher, and cancer survivor. A dedicated volunteer with the Lions Club and international ostomy organizations, she has authored multiple books inspiring others facing health challenges and caregiving responsibilities.
Her Story
About Ann
I was a teacher for 27 years before retiring in 1992. My life took a significant turn in 1988 when I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and had ostomy surgery. I joined a local ostomy support group and became president, which began my journey in ostomy advocacy. I went up the chairs in the national organization and served as president of the United Ostomy Association, though this was all volunteer work, not paid. After that, I served as secretary to the International Ostomy Association for 6 years. Currently, I'm Vice President of the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide USA, an organization that sends donated ostomy supplies free to people in 109 countries outside of the U.S. They've recycled me to vice president after I went up the chairs in that organization as well. I've self-published 8 books, including 'It's Okay to Have an Ostomy,' which has been read worldwide and has allowed me to provide education, inspiration, and hope to a lot of people. More recently, after being a caregiver for my husband who had vascular dementia for 5 years, I published 'Life Under Construction, A Caregiver's Journey Through Dementia.' I give presentations to civic and women's groups and still run an ostomy support group once a month. I'm very active in my church, the Lions Club where I've been a member for over 45 years, and I just finished a whole matching funds campaign for FOW USA. I've been using my mind and my body for a long time, and I believe in staying active and engaged.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ann
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise women to be a lifelong learner, a risk taker, and a soul sister. I think when you surround yourself with supportive women and reframe challenges with a positive perspective, you set yourself up for success. Then you fill your life with art, music, words, and don't be afraid to say yes!
Her Content Hub
Articles by Ann
A LIFE OF SERVICE
A Life Devoted to Service: Ann Favreau's Journey Through Leadership, Healing, and Inspiration
INFLUENTIAL WOMEN ARTICLE
ANN FAVREAU | APRIL 2026
My life can be defined by the word service. I have been a wife, mother, teacher, and cancer survivor. I am a writer, poet, speaker, facilitator, volunteer, and soul sister.
I have been a member of the Lions Club for over 45 years. In that capacity, I coordinated all volunteers at their monthly vision and hearing clinic. I initiated a program to provide reading glasses for people experiencing homelessness.
In 1988, a diagnosis of colorectal cancer led to a permanent colostomy. I joined a local support group, became its president, then a regional coordinator, and progressed through leadership roles in the national United Ostomy Association, ultimately serving as its president in 2002. After that, I became Secretary of the International Ostomy Association for six years, and later stepped into leadership roles with Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA, which sends donated ostomy supplies free of charge to individuals in need in 109 countries outside the United States. I have served as both Vice President and President, and I currently serve again as Vice President.
To provide information, inspiration, and resources, I wrote and published It’s Okay To Have An Ostomy, which has been read by people all over the world. My cancer journey—from diagnosis to national and international leadership—was also captured in Cancer to Caring.
My faith is central to my life. I have served as a lector in the Catholic Church for 50 years. I belong to Catholic women’s groups and regularly make presentations to civic and community groups, using my poetry and stories to entertain, encourage, and inspire. I am also a member of a local writers’ group and have served as its president three times. In my current role as president, I have initiated new programs and helped grow membership.
My husband’s diagnosis of vascular dementia in 2021 led me into a new caregiving journey. Writing poetry about the condition, his experience, and my own has been deeply cathartic. I published The Dementia Spiral and Life Under Construction: A Caregiver’s Journey Through Dementia. This work received a full-page review in the March 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s Today magazine. Through my writing, speaking, and connections with others, I believe I have made a positive difference in the lives of many.
My advice to other women is to be lifelong learners, risk-takers, and soul sisters. Surround yourself with supportive women. Reframe challenges with a positive perspective. Fill your life with art, music, and words—and do not be afraid to say “yes.”
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