Ann Payson Parker

Ann Payson Parker, a native of Maine for 90 years, Ann was born in Portland to Marion (née Conley) and Henry M Payson. They moved to Falmouth in 1943 after the family summer cottage on Waites Landing was winterized. Ann met John van C Parker of New Jersey on a blind date, and they were married in 1957. They lived briefly on Ramsdell Road where their daughter, Betsy was born. Shortly after, they moved to Foreside Road where their three sons, David, Andrew and Stephen were born. In 1966 a house trade was made with Ann’s mother, and the Parkers moved back to the family home where she has lived ever since.

Ann was a consummate athlete. The pursuit of various sports was the cornerstone of her life. Ann and John were pioneers at Sugarloaf. Ann was as graceful a skier as any. Many wild parties were had at the infamous camps Ruin and Bruin, but eventually opting for heat and running water, in the 60’s they moved to a more “modern” camp near the Sugarloaf Inn. They purchased one of the first mountainside condos built in 1971 and the family passion for skiing continued to grow and is now exuded in the third generation. Ann and John loved Sugarloaf most but traveled often to the West and to Europe for larger mountain experiences. They both skied into their 80’s until the keys and skis were ripped from their cold hands in spite of avid protests. They were icons of the ‘Loaf and were always surrounded by a gang of friends on and off the slopes. Their social life with their “Cardiac Ski Club” was epic. Never wanting to end her day on the hill, she earned the nickname of “one last run Ann”.

Ann was born into a family legacy at the Portland Country Club. She may have spent more time at the PCC than anyone in the history of the club. Her accomplishments in tennis, paddle tennis and golf are renowned including a hole on the 7th. Her wins are displayed on many plaques on the walls of various buildings of the club. She grew up loving to swim in Casco Bay and later in her own salt water pool where she was an expert sunbather. Ann was a mean bridge player and when her declining body and memory prevented her from pursuing her passions she could be seen daily marching up and down Waites Landing Road.

Not known for her domestic skills, Ann far preferred boating to cooking and cleaning and spent summers cruising Casco Bay. Excursions to the myriad islands included walking, picnicking and always working on her year-round tan. Later in life Ann and John enjoyed sunset cocktail cruises and going to dinner at various restaurants by boat. They also found ways to cruise the Caribbean and even New Zealand on their friends’ sailboat. Other travel included many Viking River Barge excursions in Europe. Trips to Africa, Russia and a cruise through the Panama Canal were also highlights.

An avid proponent of “Tough Love”, Ann never cut her children any slack and disciplined them with an iron fist and cultivated their competitive spirit. She ingrained the philosophy of the “family that plays together stays together”. She refused to become a snowbird; Maine was truly her favorite place to be in all seasons. With family scattered around the country, Ann and John organized many memorable vacations by uniting the entire family on various islands in the Caribbean, always insisting on large villas with a tennis court and a swimming pool.

Ann’s lasting family legacy will be the annual Payson Family Christmas party that spanned decades. Through rain, sleet or snow, generations of Parkers, Sowles and Paysons slid down the slippery boardwalk to celebrate the holiday, imbibing and singing carols including a raucous version of “12 Days of Christmas”. She hosted her last as the Matriarch of four generations this past Christmas.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, her husband, John and her siblings, Henry S Payson and Margaret P Sowles. She is survived by Betsy; David and his son, Jordan; Andrew, Michelle and their son, Cortland; and Stephen and his daughter, Emily. She is also survived by many beloved Sowles and Payson nieces and nephews and their families. A special thanks goes out to Ann’s dedicated team of caregivers: Kim, Kimberly, Halee, Angelica, Jill, Michelle, Heather, Susan, Maria, Linda and Larissa. Finally, thank you to Lynn and the team from Compasses Hospice who was so supportive to mom and the family in her final days, enabling Mom to die at home as she desired.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann’s name to https://www.sugarloafskiclub.org/scholarship-programs or https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/

A celebration of life will be held at the Portland Country Club on June 8th at 5:00pm.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to view Ann’s tribute page and to sign her online guestbook.