Ann Feeley Kieffer

My ongoing memory of Annie is that she was not only a kind and sympathetic listener, she was also a 'presence' which gave me strength when I really needed it. In some ways I will always miss her, but in others I am at peace because I know she is at peace. May God bless her always,

Wendy Sloan

What a wonderful friend Annie was. From the time we served together for years on the Board of Trustees of the Wilmot Public Library to our correspondences after she left us and moved to Colorado. I always loved knowing her and being with her. I loved visiting her during good times and not so good times, enjoying her beautiful geraniums and her sweet home. Annie, you're in my heart. I love you. Jackie Thompson, Wilmot

Dearest Ann, how can you be gone? I found out by accident today, my sister read the obituary in the Hartford paper. You were my wonderful peer counselor at Saint Joe´s and went on to become a dear friend for so many years. We shared so much, both laughter and tears. Unforgettable visiting you in Pietrasanta with Geoff, you picking us up in the old white Peugeot with no headlights at midnight, the repast that awaited us-those zucchini flowers!- you and Geoff chattering away in Italian, the next day at the studio and then at Roberto´s ( I still have the napkins Geoff took- all that thick yellow vino-and wandering through Michelangelo´s marble caverns, I have shards of that marble-your gorgeous marble sculpture, the pottery laughing woman and Willie´s marble nude that I gave to John. It been long since I´ve seen you, but it is a shock to know you are gone. I loved you very much, you were one of the most special, warm women I´ve ever known. And I´ll never forget calling you from Rome to tell you of Geoff´s death and your scream- the most real possible response. Annie, the best of friends

Ann was and continues to be held deep in my heart and my partner Jim's. Especially around this holiday and all the others - big and small - that dot any given year. We would pick her up at her house and bring her to ours for the celebration - read poetry, sing, told stories - then we'd drive her home. Since she left Wilmot NH and moved to Boulder, we still set a chair and plate for her, and will do so tomorrow as we share a meal.

Ann hosted what we in the area called "The salon", a once a month sharing of a meal (potluck), poetry, song, art, and story telling. She was always a significant part of Jim's and my annual giant puppet shows on Tannery Pond in Wilmot. I have several of her masks which I treasure.

When I first moved to Wilmot, Ann was my mentor in my entree into the world of marble carving, and when I look at the pieces I fashioned (more or less) in her studio, I see her hands and her face. We called our dog "the studio dog". Ann had several neighborhood dogs that loved to visit. A big basket of dog toys was always available. Our dog Missy would sniff everyone of them before she'd choose what she'd hide on any particular day.

The hole she leaves in Wilmot and in our own household is deep,