Anne W Cleaves died September 4 at Chilton Hospital in Pompton Plains, NJ. She died peacefully in the company of her family. She is predeceased by her parents Deane Webber and Ruth Warner, her sister Elizabeth McCleneghan and her great love James H. Cleaves. Surviving are her son Gardiner Cleaves, his wife Dawn and their daughters Elizabeth and Kathryn; Susannah Hohorst, her husband Frank and their sons Nicholas and Alexander. Her second family were her close friends. She is predeceased by Norma Barsness, surviving are Barbara Nelson and Margaret White.
Anne was born May 25, 1932 in Bryn Mawr, PA. She enjoyed singing in her high school choir and spending summers leading hostel trips in Europe. She graduated from Penn State and taught elementary school. Taking her fifth graders camping was a highlight of her teaching experience.
There were many facets to her career. She started as an elementary school teacher, later taught music and gave private piano lessons, sang professionally as an alto soloist and was a member of the choir at The Riverside Church in New York City. She also worked as the administrative assistant to the pastoral minister at Riverside Church.
She spent the last 50 summers in her favorite place - Deer Isle, Maine. She enjoyed sailing her sloop, Truelove, doing jigsaw puzzles, celebrating the sunset with Happy Hour and hosting her family and friends.
Her enthusiasm and appreciation for life touched everyone she met. One of her favorite phrases was, "this is the BEST Ive ever had." She will be greatly missed.
A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, September 18, at 2:00 pm at 1st floor Educational Room Village Square Cedar Crest, 1 Cedar Crest Dr, Pompton Plains, NJ.
Memorial Service
Sunday, September 18, 2022
2:00 PM
Cedar Crest, Village Square
1 Cedar Crest Dr
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
1st Floor Educational Room