Anne E. Nesbit

1921 - 2017

Anne Elizabeth Nesbit, 95, of Kimball Farms, Lenox, previously of Richmond and Pittsfield, passed away October 29, after a brief illness surrounded by her extensive, loving family.

A remarkable woman, Anne was born on the Feast of Saint Nicholas, December 6, 1921, the second of ten children, to Jane E. Daley and George W. Nesbit.

Anne was a 1939 cum laude graduate of St. Joseph's High School as well as a cum laude 1943 graduate of Our Lady of the Elms College. She started her professional career as an analytic chemist at Winthrop Pharmaceutical in Rensselaer, NY. After being given increasing responsibilities for the training of new hires, Anne realized her true calling was the development of young minds in the field of science. She began a long and distinguished career in the Pittsfield Public Schools, first as a beloved classroom teacher and department head and then as the Director of Science and Health Curriculum. Always a learner herself, Anne received her Masters of Education from North Adams State College and attended advance graduate programs at Columbia, Harvard, Wesleyan, Wellesley, University of Indiana and University of Wisconsin.

Professionally, Anne was best known for her groundbreaking and nationally recognized sexual education program developed in the 1970s. Learning About Myself and Others (LAMO) was a curriculum designed to be taught outside the school day to elementary aged children with parent involvement mandated. While an instructor led the classes, the parent was the primary teacher of each lesson and was empowered to impart the information through the lens of their own family's values. Anne was awarded an honorary doctorate from Assumption College, Worcester in 1992 in recognition of this work. She was also honored as an Elms College Distinguished Alumni in 1981 and was inducted into St. Joseph's High School Hall of Fame. During Pittsfield's 250 Celebration, Anne was one of the few women in the Berkshire Eagle's year-long daily series of notable people in Pittsfield history.

Anne was an athlete. She was always picked first for the team when the Morningside neighborhood kids were choosing up sides. She spent many years playing softball, tennis and golf and was a downhill and cross-country skier. Her advanced age and loss of sight did not keep Anne from strapping on her skis up until last winter. She was an avid gardener and an excellent bridge player.

Anne was a great friend. She stayed close to school chums and former colleagues, brought people together and never stopped making new friends. Everyone knew they could rely on Anne.

Anne's faith was central to her life. She was a longtime, active and daily communicant of St Mary, the Morningstar Parish in Pittsfield and St. Patrick's Catholic Church in West Stockbridge; later St Mark's and St Anne's parishes. In the last several years, she would travel most days to spend the afternoon in prayer at the Marian Fathers in Stockbridge.

Anne is predeceased by her parents and her sisters, MaryJane (Stauch) Gonia, Margaret Farley and Kathleen and her brothers John, George, Leo and Robert. She is survived her brother Paul Nesbit of Pittsfield and by her sister Sheila Keator of Lenox as well as three generations of devoted nieces and nephews who have seen her as a central role model and guiding star of their lives.

Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Anne Elizabeth Nesbit will be Saturday, November 4, 2017, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1030 a.m. held at St. Ann Church in Lenox, celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. John J. Bonzagni. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Friday, November 3, 2017 from 4 p.m. until 7p.m. at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA. A Rosary Ceremony will follow promptly at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Thanksgiving Angels, a local food distribution program, or to Berkshire County Pregnancy Support Services, care of the Dwyer Funeral Home, in her memory.

Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.



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