Ann Hennessey Fairfax, Vermont Obituary

Ann Hennessey

Ann Klinger Hennessey, born February 14th, 1934, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at her home in Middlebury, VT after a long illness. She was 79 years old. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard H. Hennessey and children, Bruce K. Hennessey and his spouse Beth of Huntington, VT, Diane H. Hennessey of Seattle, WA, and Robin H. Gucker and her husband Peter of Keeseville, NY. She leaves four grandchildren, Lindsay Gucker of Boulder, CO, Forrest Gucker of Keeseville, NY and Bryn and David Hennessey of Huntington, VT. She was predeceased by her brother, Terry Klinger. Ann was born in Penn Yan, NY, the daughter of the late Mildred and Daniel Klinger. She grew up in Wellsville, NY and lived in Canandaigua, NY for 42 years before moving to Middlebury, VT with her husband in 2004. She was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY while living in Canandaigua, and then joined the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury. Ann did her undergraduate and graduate work in early childhood education at the State University of New York at Geneseo. She began her career as an elementary school and nursery school teacher. She went on to be the Director of the Coordinated Child Development Program (CCDP) of Ontario County, NY for 23 years. Her career at CCDP resulted in the building of a state-of-the-art facility (The Canandaigua Early Childhood Center). Ann's greatest career contribution was developing a thriving early childhood care system for Ontario County families. She met her husband, Rich, at The North Country Camps (Lincoln and Whippoorwill) in Keeseville, New York, a summer long wilderness adventures camp based in the Adirondacks. They served as senior staff members for twenty years. At camp, she was known for her warm smile and inspiring leadership. She led sailing, swimming, backpacking, mountain climbing, canoeing and music activities. Due to her long association with the camps, Ann was invited to be a director on the board of the Chief's Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding camperships for disadvantaged youth. After their years at camp, Ann and Rich took to exploring the world. Ann dreamt of visiting the Taj Mahal in India and exploring the Grand Canyon. So, off they went! With their passion for travel, they journeyed to many destinations in the U.S. and around the world, often to places flush with exotic birds. Ann was passionate about the arts. She was a violinist with the Fingerlakes Symphony Orchestra, played for many local theater productions, and sang joyously with church choirs, camp singing groups, and community choruses. She was a talented photographer and created many beautiful images with sensitivity and grace. Colorful quilts, designed and created by Ann, adorn her family's beds. A lifelong musician, educator, and dedicated mother, Ann was a valued member of her community. She was an active volunteer with many organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Church, Ilsley Library, American Association of University Women, and Addison County Peace Coalition. She loved helping in the community, preparing meals for those in need, reading to children in the elementary school, and helping to bring about a childrens museum in Canandaigua. Everyone knew her warm and loving smile. Ann's great joy was to see her beloved children grow to accomplished adulthood. Her joyful and giving spirit lives on. A memorial service celebrating Ann's life will be held on the shores of Auger Lake at The North Country Camps, where her life with Rich began. The family also plans to hold a memorial service in Middlebury. Dates and times for these celebrations are to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann can be made to any of the following organizations: The Coordinated Child Development Program (ccdpkids.net), The Lakeside School (thelakesideschoolinessex.org), the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society (cvuus.wikispaces.com/cvuus) and The Chief's Fund (chiefsfund.org). If you would like to share memories or photos of Ann, please visit her memorial website at www.awrfh.com
February 14, 1934 - March 1, 201302/14/193403/01/2013
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Obituary

Ann Klinger Hennessey, born February 14th, 1934, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at her home in Middlebury, VT after a long illness. She was 79 years old. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Richard H. Hennessey and children, Bruce K. Hennessey and his spouse Beth of Huntington, VT, Diane H. Hennessey of Seattle, WA, and Robin H. Gucker and her husband Peter of Keeseville, NY. She leaves four grandchildren, Lindsay Gucker of Boulder, CO, Forrest Gucker of Keeseville, NY and Bryn and David Hennessey of Huntington, VT. She was predeceased by her brother, Terry Klinger. Ann was born in Penn Yan, NY, the daughter of the late Mildred and Daniel Klinger. She grew up in Wellsville, NY and lived in Canandaigua, NY for 42 years before moving to Middlebury, VT with her husband in 2004. She was a member of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY while living in Canandaigua, and then joined the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society in Middlebury. Ann did her undergraduate and graduate work in early childhood education at the State University of New York at Geneseo. She began her career as an elementary school and nursery school teacher. She went on to be the Director of the Coordinated Child Development Program (CCDP) of Ontario County, NY for 23 years. Her career at CCDP resulted in the building of a state-of-the-art facility (The Canandaigua Early Childhood Center). Ann's greatest career contribution was developing a thriving early childhood care system for Ontario County families. She met her husband, Rich, at The North Country Camps (Lincoln and Whippoorwill) in Keeseville, New York, a summer long wilderness adventures camp based in the Adirondacks. They served as senior staff members for twenty years. At camp, she was known for her warm smile and inspiring leadership. She led sailing, swimming, backpacking, mountain climbing, canoeing and music activities. Due to her long association with the camps, Ann was invited to be a director on the board of the Chief's Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding camperships for disadvantaged youth. After their years at camp, Ann and Rich took to exploring the world. Ann dreamt of visiting the Taj Mahal in India and exploring the Grand Canyon. So, off they went! With their passion for travel, they journeyed to many destinations in the U.S. and around the world, often to places flush with exotic birds. Ann was passionate about the arts. She was a violinist with the Fingerlakes Symphony Orchestra, played for many local theater productions, and sang joyously with church choirs, camp singing groups, and community choruses. She was a talented photographer and created many beautiful images with sensitivity and grace. Colorful quilts, designed and created by Ann, adorn her family's beds. A lifelong musician, educator, and dedicated mother, Ann was a valued member of her community. She was an active volunteer with many organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Church, Ilsley Library, American Association of University Women, and Addison County Peace Coalition. She loved helping in the community, preparing meals for those in need, reading to children in the elementary school, and helping to bring about a childrens museum in Canandaigua. Everyone knew her warm and loving smile. Ann's great joy was to see her beloved children grow to accomplished adulthood. Her joyful and giving spirit lives on. A memorial service celebrating Ann's life will be held on the shores of Auger Lake at The North Country Camps, where her life with Rich began. The family also plans to hold a memorial service in Middlebury. Dates and times for these celebrations are to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann can be made to any of the following organizations: The Coordinated Child Development Program (ccdpkids.net), The Lakeside School (thelakesideschoolinessex.org), the Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society (cvuus.wikispaces.com/cvuus) and The Chief's Fund (chiefsfund.org). If you would like to share memories or photos of Ann, please visit her memorial website at www.awrfh.com

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