Anne Vaneeta Hamilton

Anne V. Hamilton, Maryland native, resident of Arlington, Virginia, and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, passed away unexpectedly at GW Hospital, Washington, DC on October 11, 2014, aged only 62. Anne, who had not been sick a full day in her life, became ill just two weeks before. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she was not in pain and died peacefully.

Anne was so many things – loyal best friend to scores of people; businesswoman (her company, Oliver & Hamilton, provided financial services to the Export-Import Bank and other federal agencies for many years); garden designer extraordinaire (for all four seasons!); decorator (with a unique style all her own); enthusiastic and knowledgeable real estate agent, with a recent side line fabricating funky hats and decorative canteens (just for fun); dedicated community volunteer; much loved student mentor; and ardent supporter of just causes.

Anne was also a crossword puzzle expert (of both the London Times and the NY Times, which she could polish off in no time at all); an ace Scrabble player; trusted supporter and staunch defender of her friends; serial party-giver, organizer of memorable games, and celebrant of all holidays; karaoke singer (her only flaw); godmother (the world’s best); constant traveler with particular fondness for England and Thailand; very important Mensa member and surely always the smartest kid in any class; lover of books (which she devoured, always recycling to share with her friends); champion of all things Arlingtonian; wearer of the most striking earrings, often color matched to her permanently perfectly manicured nails and the brightest of lipsticks; general knowledge genius and history buff; Coronation plate collector; perfect travel companion; flamboyant Christmas present wrapper and habitual sender of the funniest Christmas cards (usually featuring Anne!); and someone, setting an example for all of us, who loved life and lived it to the full with no regrets.

On top of these attributes, Anne was fiercely independent; awash in integrity; an enemy of prejudice, closed-mindedness, cruelty, and injustice; honest and direct; irreverent(sometimes scarily so); happily unpredictable; endlessly curious; super, super smart; darned funny and fun to be around; completely lacking in pretension or animus; possessed of uncanny X-ray-like empathy; a happiness maker (she filled buckets, she didn’t empty them); a ceaseless giver of her time and energy to others expecting nothing in return; always brave (to the very end); and someone whose personality truly did fill the room.

Most of all, Anne was simply the kindest, most generous person you could ever meet. A kindness you could always see in her truly beautiful, beautiful blue eyes. She made an indelible imprint on everyone she met. In the best possible way. We love you Anne. We will never stop missing you. Anne is survived by her sister Elizabeth Hamilton, her two uncle and aunts, Edwin and Winsome Brown, Tom and Inez Brown, six cousins Malcolm, Herbert, Neal, Phyllis, James, and Robert Brown.”

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Celebration/Tribute Party honoring Anne on Sunday, October 26, starting at 6 pm and going to 9 pm, at the Arlington Arts Center 3550 Wilson Blvd, Arlington (of course) VA 22201. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either A-Span or the Arlington Free Clinic