Ann Chauncey Cobb Thorne

FALLS VILLAGE — Ann Chauncey Cobb Thorne died Dec. 9, 2010, on the occasion of her wedding anniversary — and at the very moment she and Francis, her beloved husband of 68 years, would have exited the church after exchanging their vows — at Geer Village in North Canaan, surrounded by her family.

Residents of Geer for almost five years, Ann and Francis knew northwest Connecticut well as her parents, Edith and Boughton Cobb, lived on Undermountain Road in Falls Village from 1941 until the early 1970s.

Born on Aug. 16, 1922, in Cedarhurst, N.Y., Ann was educated at the Lawrence School and at Milton Academy, Milton, Mass., followed by a year of studies in painting and photography at Bennington College in Vermont.

On Dec. 9, 1942, she married Francis Burritt Thorne Jr., whom she met at the age of 14.

After World War II, the couple lived in Bay Shore, N.Y., and then in New York City, where her husband began a long career in music. There she served as the chairman of the Heart Fund, as well as on the committees of the Boys Club of New York and the Film Society, which initiated the first rating system for films suitable for children.

In 1958, the family moved to Florence, Italy, where Ann returned to painting and photography, exhibiting her work on behalf of the U.S. Information Service at the American Consulate in Florence and at the first Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto. Back in New York, Ann exhibited her paintings in the city, as well as in Palm Beach, Minneapolis and at the Boston Atheneum.

After her recovery from alcoholism, in 1975, Ann co-founded and served for over 30 years on the board of Freedom Institute, a not-for-profit resource center for individuals and families affected by alcohol and drug dependency.

She was also an active member of the Colony Club, both as a board member and on its library committee, where she ran a series of conversations with writers and others in the arts.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, “Moth,� as she was known by many, is survived by her husband, Francis; her daughters, Ann Boughton “Bo� Thorne Niles, Wendy Thorne Forsyth and Candace Thorne Canton; four grandsons; and three great-grandchildren.

A service will be held at a later date at the discretion of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Freedom Institute, 515 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022.

Arrangements are under the care of the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in North Canaan.