SALISBURY — Ann Ritter Brown, 84, of Alburgh, Vermont, died from leukemia on April 13, 2023, at her winter home in Lake Wales, Florida. Dale D. Brown, her husband of 48 years, was at her side, as always, loving and encouraging her during their last dance together.
Ann was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the daughter of Virginia L. Ritter and Manvel B. Ritter. She and her elder sister Barbara grew up in North Haven, Connecticut. Ann often described her childhood as full of adventure and fun. She and her friends freely roamed the neighborhood, seeking adventures in the woods and streams nearby. She could walk through a neighbor’s yard to visit her best friend Judy, and a tin-can “telegraph” connected her with a good friend Lee. All the children walked to and from school, with a round trip home at lunchtime. Ann was a “candy striper” in her school years, and she developed a strong desire to help others and a confidence in her ability to do so.
Ann and her family spent summer vacations on Twin Lakes in Salisbury, Connecticut. The area played an important role in Ann’s life, and many happy memories became a part of the family lore. Her love of the water, swimming, canoeing, and water lilies were all developed in this beautiful setting in northwest Connecticut.
Ann was a member of the class of 1955, North Haven High School’s first graduating class. She was younger than her classmates, and earned her driver’s license at age 16 in her senior year. She was the first member of her class to be accepted to college and she attended Centenary Junior College and studied fashion design.
Ann married Chester A. Page, Jr., in 1956 and the first years of their marriage were spent on Air Force bases in Texas, California, and Georgia. Ann learned to play bridge in those years, and enjoyed playing her entire life. She was always a member of a bridge club and even adapted to playing bridge on an iPad. Most recently, she was a member of bridge clubs in Alburgh, Vermont, and Lake Wales, Florida.
Ann and Chet had three children, and raised them in Princeton, New Jersey, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Ann always said she loved being a young mother. She “grew up” with them, and imparted her love of the outdoors and swimming to all three: Lesley, Chester, and Manvel. She was an active member of her communities, and volunteered with the Junior League and the League of Women Voters. She was proud of these efforts and how they prepared her for a career in day care and community service.
Ann’s marriage to Dale D. Brown in 1975 launched a new phase of her family life and career aspirations. Together, they raised Ann’s three children and Dale’s daughter Marci and son Duane. Ann and Dale worked together for the Manpower program. There, she turned her skills as a mother and her experiences as a volunteer toward developing a daycare center to care for the children of mothers who were learning non-traditional trades. The federal government actively invested in these efforts, and Ann’s work supported hundreds of families as the program grew. This was the beginning of a life-long career devoted to supporting families in the Lehigh Valley and later in Salisbury, Connecticut.
Ann and Dale moved to Salisbury to be closer to Ann’s family, and both became active members of the Salisbury community for the next 20 years. Ann was director of the Housatonic Day Care Center for 14 years. Ann and the center’s board of directors recognized the need for infant child care and were instrumental in establishing that program.
Known as Annie to many, her enthusiasm and effervescent personality endeared her to the children, their parents, and the staff. Community members will remember annual events to support the center, each delivered with her special flair. These included: Mothers’ Day Tea hosted by Harney Tea Company, Fathers’ Day Breakfast, an annual circus featuring the daycare kiddos, and participation in the Salisbury Memorial Day parade.
An annual house tour organized by Ann and board members elevated community support from bake sales to major investments in the center. One transformative achievement was the building of a new day care center that was co-located on a campus with other social service organizations and community soccer fields.
Ann’s volunteer service to the community included membership in the Salisbury Rotary Club and she served a term as president of Salisbury Family Services. Ann and Dale were hosts of a local television program that highlighted town events and featured local personalities.
Ann and Dale retired to Alburgh, Vermont, in 2003, eventually dividing their time between Vermont and Lake Wales, Florida. Ann was an antique dealer and enjoyed collecting and selling furniture, silver, and linens at antique shows in each of the communities she lived. She loved all things fancy and sparkly, and she delighted in being the grandmother to four girly-girls: Kathryn, Erica, Molly, and Veronica. She shared her love of food, fashion, and fun with each of them. And, as the most creative of Christmas elves, she loved to select special gifts for her family, including the next generation of little ones, her great grandchildren: Xander, Lily, and Harlan.
Ann was a life-long patriot of the United States. She grew up during the Second World War and many of her values were informed by love of country and pride in the opportunities available to its citizens. She was a proud member of the national society of Daughters of the American Revolution, and was a descendant of Captain Job Candee from Connecticut. Most recently, she was a member of the Captain Jedediah Hyde Chapter of the DAR in Saint Albans, Vermont.
Annie was draped in an American flag as she left her house for the last time; friends and neighbors honored both with a salute of their hands on their hearts.
In addition to her husband, Dale, Ann is survived by her daughter Lesley A. Yorke, and her sons Chester A. Page III and Manvel R. Page and wife Karen. She also has four granddaughters: Kathryn Heinen and husband John Heinen; Erica Beneke and husband Matt Farr; Molly Beneke and partner Nick Poteat, and Veronica Page and fiance Dan Saldarriaga. Her three great-grandchildren are Alexander (Xander) and Liliana (Lily) Heinen and Harlan Farr.
Ann is also survived by her sister Barbara R. Peterson, her niece Lisa Finis and husband Mario Finis, her nephew George Peterson, as well as great nieces, nephews, and close cousins.
Ann is also survived by her stepdaughter Marci Kickliter and step-grandson Trevor Kickliter; stepson Duane Brown and wife Sharon and step-granddaughter Dale Breisch and husband Wesley Breisch and great step-granddaughter, Grace Breisch.
Ann was deeply loved and her joie de vivre will be missed by her extended family and many friends. A celebration of Ann’s life will be held in Salisbury, CT, in early summer 2023.
