Ann Hibbard Sayre

Ann Hibbard Sayre Obituary

Ann Hibbard Sayre born in Pittsfield Massachusetts on October 17, 1928 to Eleanor Stevens Hibbard and Robert Sargent Hibbard. Just shy of 97, Ann died peacefully at Hopewell House Hospice in Portland Oregon on February 28, 2025 surrounded by family.

Ann attended the Shipley School near Philadelphia, followed by Wheaton College graduating with her BA in Zoology. She started a Master's Degree program in Zoology at Mt. Holyoke College but left the program to go to the Boston area to pursue a position in the Pathology Department at Harvard Medical School. There, she met her future husband Dr. James "Jim" W. Sayre, who was training as a pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital. They were married in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on January 29, 1955 during a snowstorm.

After a two month long honeymoon to South America, Jim and Ann moved to Mystic Connecticut and Ann continued her interest in zoology, as a teaching assistant at Connecticut College. Following their stay there, Jim was offered an opportunity to teach as a pediatrician at the brand new Hacettepe Children's Hospital in Ankara Turkiye. For nearly four years they enjoyed new friendships and excursions in the middle East. In 1966, Jim took a pediatric teaching position at Strong Memorial Hospital and the family moved to Rochester, New York where they lived for more than 30 years.

Ann was an active mom of five kids, shuttling her children to after school sports activities: soccer, ballet, tennis and horseback riding. She was a great cook, feeding the family and all of their visiting friends. The family enjoyed skiing at nearby Hunt Hollow Ski Area and ice skating in the backyard on a homemade rink. Ann loved traveling, especially safaris in Africa, playing tennis, knitting , gardening and she appreciated art of all kinds.

From 1990 until 2010, Ann made her home in Denver, Colorado, near her married children and grandchildren. Living on a ranch, nature trips in the southwest, and volunteering at the Denver Botanic Gardens all satisfied her love of flora and fauna. Her winter retreat in Borrego Springs, California became a favorite "snowbird" getaway admiring wildflower blooms and exploring desert hiking trails. In 2010, Ann moved to Portland, Oregon, where she lived next door to her daughter and son-in-law for 16 years.

Ann is survived by her children and their spouses, Christopher (Nancy), Julia (Douglas), Alice (Mark), son Tate and her three grandchildren, James (Alexandra), Matthew (Abby) and Madeline. Ann was preceded by her beloved husband Jim, who died in 2000 and her son, Kent in 1991. A Celebration of Life was held at the Oregon Zoo on May 31, 2025 and a brief graveside ceremony was held on July 7, 2025 at Pittsfield Ceremony.

.