Mary Ann Webb Leavitt

Mary Ann Webb Leavitt, 'Emmy,' 79 SCARBOROUGH -- Mary Ann Webb Leavitt, 'Emmy,' 79, died peacefully at The Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on Feb. 25, 2009, with her family by her side. The cause was complications relating to metastatic breast cancer. Born Sept. 8, 1929, in West Chester, Pa., to Linda Thomas and Walter Caldwell Webb, she grew up on a nearby family farm, known as 'Caswallen,' spending summers at a cottage in the mountains of New Hampshire. Upon graduating from Middlebury College ('52), Emmy went to Washington, D. C. to work for the CIA. Soon afterwards, she married her college sweetheart, Harry Rice, and they went out West to the Naval Air Station in Coronado, Calif., where Harry was a pilot. When Harry had completed his service, they returned to the East where Harry became a teacher. They raised Lesli, Julie and Peter, impressing on them the value of hard work, compassion, generosity and courage, while sharing their enthusiasm for sports and the outdoors. During those early years, they moved often - eight times over 16 years - as new opportunities presented themselves. Emmy was ever resourceful, packing and unpacking, with kids and pets in tow. Tragically, Harry died suddenly at the age of 42, while he was on the faculty of Avon Old Farms School, in Avon, Conn. Emmy went from part-time jobs of nursery school teacher and librarian to being the full-time provider. She too turned to teaching and was hired by the Westminster School in nearby Simsbury, Conn. to teach English and was School's first Director of the Girls' Athletic Program as well as coaching field hockey and tennis during the School's transition to a coeducational program. After Westminster, she continued coaching, leading the Avon High School girls' tennis team to win the State Championship in five out of six seasons. Her ongoing passion for tennis led her to become a line umpire for the Volvo Tennis Tournament during the years it was held in North Conway and Stratton. Emmy fell in love again and in 1974 married Frank Leavitt, a fellow teacher and a member of the faculty of Avon Old Farms School. For 20 years, they lived together in Avon as they watched Lesli, Julie and Peter grow up, go to college and make their way in the world. When Frank retired, they realized their dreams by moving to Maine and living by the sea. In their new home in Cape Elizabeth looking out over a meadow, Emmy and Frank enjoyed walks by the ocean, sailing and cross-country skiing. Emmy relished her gardening, bird watching and beachcombing. Whenever they could, they visited another favorite spot, Mount Chocorua in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Emmy leaves her devoted husband Frank; her three children; and six grandchildren. Her sister, Carol Sonntag, predeceases her and her sister, Harriet Hoose, survives her. She will be fondly remembered as well by her many cousins, nieces and nephews who were so much a part of her life. We will all miss and always cherish her independent spirit, sharp wit and steely resolve. A celebration of her life will be held on May 2, 2009, at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the Animal Refuge League of Portland.