Ann B. Penisten

Ann Bell Penisten, age 69, of Swansea, Massachusetts passed away from cancer on Friday, February 24, 2023 at her home in the company of her son and daughter. Recently predeceased by her husband Kris D. Pennisten, they shared 44 loving years of marriage, and she gracefully tolerated sharing a yard, kitchen, and garage with him.

Born in Presque Isle, Maine, she was the first of 6 children born of Harry and Janet (Bull) Bell. Ann's early years were spent watching after the other Bell kids, while learning experientially how to run a household and small farm in Gorham, Maine. Ann studied Horticulture and Plant and Soil Science at The University of Maine at Orono where she met her husband, Kris. The two moved to Colorado together, later finding their way back to New England, eventually settling in Swansea, always dreaming of one day returning to Maine. Regardless of what Ann's address was, she remained fiercely proud of being a Mainer. She detested the Poland Springs commercial, which always got a response of "bottled water is not what it means to be from Maine".

Ann's career as a landscape designer and Horticulturist brought her peace and fulfillment, allowing her to make lifelong friends, spend time in whatever weather the day brought (she could predict it days in advance, and appreciated it all), help others connect with the outdoors, get her hands in the dirt, and visualize the fruits of her labor for years to come. Her love for sharing her encyclopedic understanding of healthy landscapes led her and a friend to host a call-in radio show dedicated to horticulture, teach a gardening class at Brown University, and in more recent years, rejuvenate the Swansea Garden Club. Ann was quick to help a fellow or aspiring gardener, would always show up to inspect a problem personally, and her solutions had a legendary success rate.

Ann undoubtedly loved and understood plants but cooking, crafting, quilting, natural history, art, and music also had her heart. She delighted in days spent with her sisters discovering creative treasures and trinkets or mischievously decorating to outrageous themes. Generous with her time, she treasured her experiences volunteering at Coggeshall Farm Museum, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Olde White Church, and the Swansea Public Library. Ann's biggest gift to those she leaves behind was the energy devoted to her family. "The Mothership" made sure her kids got enough sunlight or rainwater, allowed them to make messes, have experiences independent of her own, and encouraged them to pursue their interests, all while providing a safe place to return and recharge when things went awry.

Ann was predeceased by her husband, Kris, both of her parents, Harry and Janet, and her sister-in-law, Ann (Simpson) Bell. She is survived and celebrated by her children, Sarah Pennisten of Providence, Rhode Island, and Greg Pennisten and partner, Sarah Edwards of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, five siblings and their families, Barbara and Gary Winship of Windham, Maine, David and Dottie Bell of Waterford, Maine, Peter Bell and partner, Krista Clark of Waterford, Maine, Connie and Steve Herrick of North Gorham, Maine, and Julia and Jim Hubbard of North Gorham, Maine, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Donations in Ann’s honor may be made to The Native Plant Trust at:

https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/support/

Services will take place in the springtime.