Anne M. Washburn

Anne was born on October 28, 1923, the third of four children of Col. Slater Washburn, USMC and Beulah McClellan Washburn of Worcester, MA. She is the granddaughter of Charles G. Washburn of Worcester and the step granddaughter of Alexander H. Bullock, Esq. of Worcester. Anne grew up in Worcester and also spent her childhood years in Cotuit MA, Princeton MA. and Bermuda, where her family lived for a year and she attended school. Anne had a life long love of Bermuda and later in life she celebrated many birthdays there with her children and families.

Anne attended Bancroft School in Worcester, MA and Westover School in Middlebury, CT, graduating from the latter in 1941. She then attended Smith College, in Northampton, MA. A member of the Class of 1945, Anne accelerated during wartime, taking classes at the University of Wisconsin during the summer and graduated in August, 1944. Anne was the first woman in her family to attend and graduate from a four-year college.

After graduation from Smith, Anne worked briefly in New York with the Department of Navy doing war work before marrying Robert M. Knowles, M.D., with whom she had five children. Although first and foremost a loving and devoted mother to her five children (and their families), grandmother to fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren, Anne volunteered throughout her life in civic activities, and in (and served on the boards of) numerous charitable and educational organizations, some of which included the Junior League, the Catherine Morrill Day Nursery, the Waynflete School, the Colonial Dames, the Women’s Career Center at Westbrook College, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Westover School, Smith College, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Crossroads, and the Kids First Center.

Anne enthusiastically encouraged and supported her children in all of their various academic and athletic endeavors and in everything and in all ways in their lives. Anne had many, loving and long lasting friends. She gave generously to others; she was kind, considerate, and a wonderful listener, often making just the right comment or asking just the right question to help resolve a difficult situation.

Anne had a twinkle in her eye, wonderful sense of humor and a genuine smile. She loved the limelight and often stole the show, such as her memorable performance as Gypsy Rose Lee, singing and performing a mock strip tease in the Junior League Follies. She was an exceptional hostess, the life of the party and was known for her witty poems and toasts at special gatherings.

In her 50s, Anne returned to school, obtaining a Masters Degree in Education and Counseling from the University of Southern Maine in 1979. She used her degree in her volunteer work to counsel and help others.

Anne was grateful to have been a friend of Bill W. for more than 37 years; she was inspirational and helped countless others in the Program.

At age 59, Anne decided to become a model; with characteristic determination she took classes in modeling and acting, obtained an agent and embarked on another new adventure. She was the first ‘mature model’ to sign with the Portland Models Group, thus beginning a trend. With aplomb and enthusiasm, she modeled, did runway work, appeared in print and television ads, films, and numerous fashion shows into her early 80s.

In her 70s Anne became a sales associate with Talbot’s where her impeccable good taste, sense of style and grace and warm and friendly personality made her an instant and continuing success.

For her 75th birthday Anne purchased an orange BMW convertible, in which she loved to take rides with the top down, often ferrying grandchildren, friends and nieces and nephews for rides.

Anne continually and fearlessly challenged herself and with quiet determination followed through. She was never one to draw attention to herself. Anne never complained; she hated gossip; she praised and found the best in others.

Anne took up sailing in her 30s, spending years cruising the Maine coast with her first husband. She learned to ski and introduced her children to the sport, when the family moved to Maine in 1957; she loved tennis and played well into her 70s with a weekly group of friends. Anne worked out regularly, and later worked with a trainer into her 80s. Anne’s sense of adventure took her on travels throughout the country and abroad, including a trip to France with her daughter when she turned 80.

Anne was a loyal and unwavering Red Sox fan (beginning at age 8), regularly attending games at Fenway Park, and in Ft. Myers during spring training. She often told how thrilling it was for her to have been at Fenway when David Ortiz won game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees in 2004 with a walk off home run in the 12th, which paved the way for the team to finally win the World Series that year.

Anne was fair-minded, independent and non-judgmental. She was ageless and quick to move along with the times. She staunchly defended women’s rights and gay rights and was dedicated to improving the lives of children and the disadvantaged. Anne’s incredible grace, fortitude, loyalty and quiet leadership mingled with her infectious laugh, optimism and fun loving streak deeply touched and enriched the lives of all who were lucky enough to know her. Anne was a role model to her children and friends alike. She made the world a vastly better place.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Pamela Knowles Lawrason of Cumberland, Maine, her son Alexander B. Knowles and his wife Linda of Jamestown, Rhode Island; her daughter Judith Bolger and her husband David of Burbank, California; her son Robert M, Knowles, Jr. of Antioch, California and her daughter Sarah Dent and her husband Daniel of Holliston, Massachusetts, fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her former husband Robert M. Knowles, M.D. of Naples, Florida, also survives Anne. Her former husband Henry S. Payson predeceased Anne.

Anne’s family is especially grateful to her private caregivers Linda and Holley, for their kind and devoted care of Anne and to the caring staff of Falmouth by the Sea and Beacon Hospice.

A memorial service celebrating Anne’s life will be held at St. Luke’s Cathedral, of Portland, in the spring of 2012.

In Anne’s memory, contributions may be made in her name to the Kids First Center, 222 Saint John St. Portland, ME 04102 or to any charity of choice.

Arrangements are in the care of the Lindquist Funeral Home One Mayberry Lane Yarmouth.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com for additional information and to sign Anne’s guestbook.