Ann lived an incredible life. She had a wonderful family — kith and kin, including grandchildren Augusta, Ina and Liam, brothers Michael and David Ratner, and sister-in-law Nancy, whom she adored. She had wonderful relationships with her daughters, Rebecca and Leila, which had grown over the years into mature friendships, and with her sons-in-law, Tom and Sean. She and her friend, partner, lover, spouse and collaborator, Chip, shared their lives for 66 years.
Ann and Chip traveled widely around the world and in the U.S., to museums, archaeological and religious sites, gardens, and geological formations. She was an accomplished knitter and loved color, textiles and art. She was committed to education, the arts, her community and friends. Above all she was intellectually vibrant, with a wonderfully eclectic, curious mind. She read voraciously, including nonfiction archaeology and history books and contemporary and world literature. She had a delightful, quirky sense of humor.
Ann graduated cum laude from Beloit College in 1964 with a degree in anthropology and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors society. She then worked as an anthropology grants analyst in New York City before going into the U.S. Peace Corps and serving in India for two years. She obtained a school library certification and was the librarian at the Folsom School in South Hero, Vt. She also obtained a master’s degree in history from the University of Vermont and worked for many years at the UVM Fleming Museum, serving as the museum’s director before her retirement.
She lived in North Hero, Vt., for more than 50 years. She supported the North Hero Library and was one of the founding mothers of the Champlain Islands Celebration of the Arts, Inc. (d/b/a Island Arts), serving continuously for 42 years. She was especially dedicated to Island Arts’ scholarships and programs for children.
People will remember her elegant face with a marvelous aura of blood-red hair, recently of burnished gold. She and her family valued their time together during her last days, at home with a view of her beloved Lake Champlain, and a time of grace.
Gifts in Ann Porter’s memory can be made to Island Arts either by mail to PO Box 108, North Hero, VT 05474, or online at zeffy.com/en-us/donation-form/ann-porter-memoriam.