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Anne Strayer Obituary
She was predeceased by her partner Karen Thatcher who died in 2009. Annie and Karen made her home in Westhampton after living in Northampton for many years.
The daughter of Hamilton and Natalie (Griffin) Strayer, Annie was raised in Fairview, Pennsylvania, and was a graduate of Mercyhurst Academy. She was a graduate of Green Mountain College and Paul Smiths College where she studied forestry.
She was an avid outdoors woman who excelled at skiing and horseback riding, interests that led her as a young adult to Wyoming where she worked on a dude ranch, Utah where she worked at a ski resort and Washington state where she worked in apple orchards. Having satisfied her wanderlust, she settled in western Massachusetts in 1981 to be closer to friends.
Among her many pursuits, Annie worked as a courier and in construction equipment sales. She enjoyed golfing and was for many years a member of Pine Grove Golf Club.
Her loved ones are very grateful for the outstanding and devoted care she received for the last eight weeks of her life from the nurses and doctors of the 5th floor oncological unit of Brigham and Women's.
She is survived by devoted life long friends Bertha Josephson and her wife Margaret Kierstein, and Linda Haskell and her husband Donald Morrison, as well as "Babs" Butler of North Carolina, Chris Lewis of Mystic, Connecticut, and Barbara Morse of Rochester, New York. She was predeceased by brother Scott and is survived by her brother Hamilton, brother Robert and wife Susan, and sister Lydia and husband Edward Haynor, all of Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, May 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ahearn Funeral Home, Northampton. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 5, at 11 a.m. at the Westhampton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Annie's love of animals with a donation to Dakin Animal Hospital or donate to Brigham and Women's/Dana Farber Hospital Unit 5A, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115.
To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to www.gazettenet.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anne Strayer
May 23, 2016
My deepest condolences to Annie's family and friends. She was such a wonderful, fun person to be around. I will think of her often, because she introduced me to the salad spinner one night when I was at her house for dinner. I thought it was the greatest gadget I had ever seen! Every time I take mine out of the cupboard I think of Annie. I like to think she's now resting peacefully, and reunited with Karen.
Anne H
Brett Fels
May 9, 2016
Annie was my Pal. I remember the many times that we explored the neighborhood, rode our mini-bikes, and tore though the wood in search of anything that nature offered. Annie was always a bright spirit and as spunky of an individual as you could ever meet. I remember fondly all of Annie's family and particularly Lydia who was closer to our age. Nat was always welcoming and connected to our family during her political action days. We always knew that Babbs, as we called her, was a special friend of Annie's and I looked forward to any day that Annie shared her life with me. Annie, your passing has deeply saddened me this week but oh the happy and wonderful thoughts you have given me as well.
I look forward to seeing your sweet face again, let's catch up! Much Love, Brett
May 5, 2016
Annie and I first met when we she was 4 and I was 5 years old. I remember when I first saw her, holding hands with Lydia, and walking down the road, pass our house, to get the mail. She looked like a little Angel with blond hair and beautiful blue eyes We grew up together in Erie remaining close and life long friends. The Stayer Clan was my second family and I stayed at the Strayer Home as much as I stayed at my own. We shared many adventures together, were always there for each other, and called ourselves "sisters". She was the youngest in our neighborhood group of kids but always managed to keep up with everyone and her determination was unmatched. She was compassionate and level headed and provided support and caring advice for all of her many friends. Her life and mine were always entertwined and I will miss her more than can be put into words. My dad thought the world of Annie and used to say "that Annie Strayer is a real tiger". Good bye my dear, dear friend and give Frank, Karen, Shelley, Aunt Nat, Uncle Ham, Aunt Barb, Joey and Scotty my love when you guys are all sitting around laughing and sharing great memories. We will have adventures together again my firend and I will always be with you and you with me. My condolences to the entire Strayer family, I love you all, Babbie
May 5, 2016
What a joy to have renewed family friendship with Annie during "Gubbfest" in Calgary! Sincere condolences to all the other 'cuzzies' who also loved her, fr,om Sue Pichanick and the Pichanick family in Atlanta, and all the Roys in Calgary.
The Weirichs
May 4, 2016
We will miss our Annie "Begonia" more than words can express. Annie gave us beauty ,love. and laughter and her spirit will be with us always . Begonia and her Karen were a gift to us and we were blessed. Our hearts are heavy with missing you Begonia.
Becky Passa
May 4, 2016
Annie will be sorely missed. What a bright light and wonderful person.
Maria Platis Conway
May 4, 2016
Sending my sympathy to the Strayer family. I was very saddened to hear of Annie's passing. We were classmates in high school. There was never a time that I didn't see a smile on her face. You are all in my prayers.
Christiine Prather Canova
May 4, 2016
Dear Lydia and family,
So sorry to hear of Annie's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss her at our 45th Mercyhurst reunion...a great spirit!
Warmest Regards,
Chris Prather Canova
Jeanne Lillis
May 4, 2016
Dear Lydia, Bob, and Ham,
I sat with Anne at our last reunion and as always, she was a pure delight. She was lovely and loved by all her MPS classmates. Sending you love and sincere sympathy for your loss. Jeanne Quinn Lillis
Ddenise Parker
May 4, 2016
Rest in Peace Annie. We had such good times together in HS. You are with your better half now.
Lisa Renz
May 4, 2016
I was so very sorry to hear of Annie's passing. The last time I saw Annie was at our high school reunion and she had just lost her partner. Annie was a wonderful person, filled with a joy for life - a life that was way too short. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
May 4, 2016
My sympathy to the Strayer family and all of Annie's friends. She was a classmate of mine at Mercyhurst Prep and I will always remember her smiling and enjoying life.
Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer
maureen mimi minier jeffreys
May 4, 2016
Blessings on Annie's memory. It looks like she had a fulfilling, loving lift after our high school years at Fairview. Deepest sympathy for your loss.
Lou Schellhammer
May 3, 2016
Ham, Lydia and Bob: I hope you will be comforted by the warm thoughts of those who care.
Libby
May 3, 2016
Anne and Karen were dear friends. The only solace I find in this news in that now she and Karen can be together again on the other side of the veils. My condolences to her family. I share your grief.
Candy Geigle Kramer
May 2, 2016
So sorry to hear of Anne's passing.Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of profound loss and sadness. May Anne rest in peace
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