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That same generosity
of spirit and refusal to be constrained by the practical
is, I suppose, what made her creative and refreshing, and
charming, even charismatic. You knew when she came into a
room, and when she left, as she has now. My husband and I were
introduced by Ann when we were all instructors at the
University of Vermont from 1958-60. I was already on the
staff and invited Ann to join an eating group and she
invited Gene to join a year later. We met for dinner five
days a week, each week at a different apartment with no
accounting and just the responsibility of providing food for
a group of friends during the week it was our turn. This
arrangement led to many lively evenings. Gene and I were
married in May 1960. Ann was one of the 6 people
present. While Ann settled in Hawaii
a few years later, we moved many times over the years. Ann
always managed a visit and remained part of our extended
family. Our two sons have warm and vivid memories of of
Ann's visits. We lived in New York in the 60's and knew her
sister Kay. We renewed that friendship here in California
where we settled in 1978 and were able to enjoy occasional
visits with them both. There was not much we did not share
about our families and old friends so our loss is compounded
by Ann and Kay's absence from our lives. We shared long and
impassioned discussions on education, politics, religion,
food, health, living and dying. My last email to her on June
26th ended with "How are you. Let us know, with or with out
political comment." We will miss her passion, her loyalty,
her courage. Ann's impact on our lives is immeasurable and
it will continue to be with us. She really was larger than
life and very much a part of it. My oldest son responded to
the news with the following email: "Mother & Dad, I am so
sorry to hear of Ann's passing. I know how special she was
to you both. I have fond memories of her
visits. When I was unhappy at school once, she told me I was
welcome to come and stay with her indefinitely in "paradise"
- her word. I couldn't conceive of it, of course, but the
offer was, typically, generous, if not altogether realistic.
That same generosity of spirit and refusal to be constrained
by the practical is, I suppose, what made her creative and
refreshing, and charming, even charismatic. You knew when
she came into a room, and when she left, as she has now. I
will miss her. Cheer up: she would be
almost as dismayed by tears as she would if you didn't miss
her at all! Love to you both,
Stephen" He has summed her spirit up
so well that there is little left to say except Ann lives on
in all of us! Our sincere condolences to
all Ann's family and friends. Gene and Joan
Long -- H. Joan Long email: joanlong@pacbell.net
It certainly was a shock! She had just invited me to visit
while I recuperated from hip surgery.