Ann Poskitt Knell
Aug 27th, 2026
Ann Poskitt Knell, of East Dennis, MA passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was 76 years old.
Born in Dighton, MA, on November 29, 1949, she was welcomed into the hearts and home of Edward and Priscilla Poskitt in December 1950. Chosen and cherished, Ann was a gift to her parents as much as they were a gift to her and Ann always carried with her the values of loving acceptance she learned from her parents.
Growing up in Westborough, MA, she spent every summer alongside her father at Camp Frank A. Day, where he served as director. For 18 summers, Ann was the only girl at an all-boys camp. It was there that she first discovered the power of leadership and community, as well as what it means to truly help someone find their footing.
After graduating from Westbrook Junior College in Portland, Maine, and Bridgewater State University, Ann began her teaching career at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School in 1972, a district to which she would remain committed for the entirety of her career. Over the following 39 years at D-Y, Ann rose from student teacher to assistant principal, culminating in her being named Assistant Principal of the Year in 2010 by the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association. The award recognized both her abilities and her unwavering belief that every student deserved a chance. The following year, Ann accepted the role of principal at Mattacheese Middle School in Yarmouth, a position she held until she retired in 2020, capping nearly half a century of dedication to improving the lives of students and the well-being of the district.
Ann’s commitment to developing young leaders extended far beyond Cape Cod. For many summers, Ann brought her gifts to Cheley Camps in Estes Park, Colorado, where she led leadership programming. She organized multiple trips for Dennis-Yarmouth students to visit Lahaina, Hawaii, where she established a sister-city relationship with the island community. She also led the D-Y majorettes in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California.
Ann’s true love was her husband, Kenneth Knell, whom she married on October 8, 1988, uniting two families into one. On her wedding day, Ann carried a single pink rose down the aisle, and with every passing year, Ken added another rose to her anniversary bouquet. By the time of her passing, that bouquet had grown to 37 roses - a quiet, perfect measure of a love that only deepened with time.
Ann cherished her blended family, whom she lovingly called “The Six Pack,” and truly shined when hosting events and get-togethers for her friends and family. She had a remarkable gift for bringing people together and creating memories for others that would last a lifetime.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Kenneth Knell; her children, Erik Bohlin of Dennis, MA; Neill Bohlin of Yarmouth Port, MA; and Bethany Hodge of Alicante, Spain; her husband’s children, Michael Knell of Weymouth, MA; Christina Colunio of Penfield, NY; and Robert Knell of Fuquay-Varina, NC; and their families. Her legacy continues with her 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Tuesday, September 1, from 3:00–6:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Dennis Union Church, Route 6A, Dennis, MA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center in Brewster or to the Dennis Council on Aging Senior Center’s Golden Age Program.