Annabel E. Rickart

RICKART, ANNABEL E. Annabel E. Rickart, 94, of Evergreen Woods, North Branford, died Tuesday morning at the Evergreen Woods nursing facility. She was the widow of Charles E. Rickart, who predeceased her in 2002 after more than 60 years of marriage. Born in Axtell, Kansas, on February 24, 1919, she was the daughter of Albert Melvin Erickson and Anna Gabriella Swanson. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Los Angeles where she was raised before returning to Axtell, Kansas in 1935. After finishing high school, she attended nurse's training at Stormont Hospital in Topeka, Kansas. While there, she met Charles, to whom she was married in 1942 in Arlington, Massachusetts, while Charles was a math instructor at Harvard University. Soon thereafter, they moved to New Haven, and later to North Haven, where Ann spent many happy years as a Yale University faculty wife. An incredible wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Ann was the hub around which her family revolved. She was an avid Yankee fan and also enjoyed rooting for the UConn women's basketball team. She loved word games and crossword puzzles and was never without a book by her side, imparting a love of literature to her family. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers: Melvin Erickson and Walter Erickson. She is survived by her three sons: Mark C. Rickart and his wife Kathleen of Willow Street, Pennsylvania; Eric A. Rickart and his wife Shelby of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Thomas M. Rickart and his wife Elizabeth of Washington, Connecticut. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Marcy E. Kelman and her husband Christopher of Monroe, Connecticut; Matthew C. Rickart of Allston, Massachusetts; Tessa A. Rickart of Southington, Connecticut; and Samuel T. Rickart of Salt Lake City, Utah; as well as two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Josie Kelman, all of whom brought her so much joy. Special thanks are due to the Evergreen Woods nursing and support staff who took such good care of Ann in her last few months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Evergreen Woods Employee Appreciation Fund", 88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, CT 06471. Arrangements are with Hawley Lincoln Memorial, 1315 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT. There will be no calling hours. Services will be private and limited to family.