Anne Farish

Anne Farish passed away at home in Houston, Texas on the 4th of September 2013, following a brief struggle with cancer. She was a woman known for her elegance, style and independence. She was also a devoted mother and grandmother who was deeply grateful for the support and loyalty of her extended family. Anne was born in Wichita Falls, Texas on the 21st of November 1929 to Adelle and Charles Francis. The family moved to Houston in 1934 where Anne attended River Oaks Elementary and The Kinkaid School. Some of her fondest childhood memories included participating in equestrian competitions showing gaited Saddlebred horses at Pin Oak Horse Show and regional competitions. She enjoyed many summers in Hunt, Texas at the family farm. Her high school years were spent happily at the Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas. She graduated and went on to attend Wellesley College in Massachusetts for one year, which reinforced her life-long aversion to male chauvinism. She returned to Houston to marry Stephen Power Farish, Jr. in June, 1947. Following their wedding, they moved to Austin, Texas to attend the University of Texas. After her husband graduated, the couple moved to Midland, Texas where he founded an oil drilling firm. Once the business was established, the couple returned to Houston to start their family. Within five years, they had two sons and a daughter.
Tragically, Anne was widowed in 1956. In 1959, she decided to move, with her three young children to Aspen, Colorado. She raised her children there and enjoyed the mountain lifestyle, with the natural beauty of the outdoors and lots of opportunity for active recreation, especially skiing. She also enjoyed Aspen's stimulating intellectual and artistic community. She continued to be a full-time resident of Aspen for over twenty years, but gradually spent more time back in Houston to be closer to family and friends. During the 1980's, Anne developed a close personal relationship with Herbert Wells, which continued for almost thirty years, until his death in 2010. They shared an interest in the arts, travel, interior design and most importantly, she appreciated his wonderful sense of humor.
She is survived by her three children, Stephen P. Farish III, George R. Farish and his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter Martha F. Oti and husband, Jose. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Christina Oti, Alexandra, Brooks, Caroline and Christopher Farish; Leslie Farish Cammuso and her husband, Chris; George R Farish, II and his wife Maribel, who are the parents of Anne's only great grandchild, Daniel. She is also survived by step grandsons, Peter and Harrison Seureau and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Joan Farish Quillen and her husband, Parker. Anne was preceded in death by her sister, Martha Francis Singleton.
Anne was a former member of the Junior League of Houston and The River Oaks Country Club. She also was an active member of The Bayou Club of Houston and Maroon Creek Club of Aspen. In addition to her club memberships, she served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the compassionate care Anne received from her physicians and caregivers during the last few months of her life. Their dedication and attention made her condition much more bearable.
A memorial service celebrating Anne's life is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 13th of September, at the Church of St John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Douglas Richnow, Senior Associate Rector, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at a venue to be announced during the service.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests, with gratitude, that memorial contributions in Anne's name be directed to The Houston Ballet, 601 Preston, Houston, TX, 77002; The Aspen Music Festival, 225 Music School Road, Aspen, CO, 81611; or to the charity of one's choice.