Ann Rachel Greenleaf

Ann (Annie) Rachel (Willmonton) Greenleaf, beloved wife of the late Richard James Greenleaf Jr., passed away peacefully on October 17th, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.
Annie was a devoted mother to her three daughters: Donna Venning (husband Steve) of Bennington, NH, Lisa Greenleaf (husband Bob Pope) of Nashua, NH, and Jennifer Southard (husband Craig) of Hamilton, MA. She was also a proud and adoring grandmother to Jessica D'Avolio (husband Jason), Meghan Gollihue, Lindsay Rose, Christopher Gollihue, Glenn Loucks, and Chelsea Rose (husband Steven Ascolillo). Her joy only grew with the arrival of her great-grandson, Jordan D'Avolio, and one great-granddaughter, Juliana D'Avolio.
Born to the late Guy and Doris Willmonton, Annie grew up in Manchester-by-the-Sea alongside her siblings, Nancy Reifenstein of Harvard, MA and the late George Willmonton.
A lifelong member of First Parish Church Congregation, Annie poured her heart into her community. She began teaching Sunday School when her daughters were young and went on to establish the beloved Cherub Choir, serving as the Director of the Sunday School Choir until her retirement in 2016. Through her music and mentorship, she nurtured generations of children, instilling a sense of faith, joy, and a love of song that continues to echo through the lives she touched. Annie's own love of music also shone in her years singing with The Harmonettes, where her laughter and harmony brought people together.
Her commitment to service extended well beyond the church. As a dedicated Girl Scout leader, earning the Order of the Silver Trefoil, Annie led Junior Troop 37 for many years, guiding her scouts on adventures across New England, from the Long Lake Campgrounds in Maine to the shores of Martha's Vineyard. Later, as a Cadette Leader, she even took her troop abroad to Scotland and England, fostering friendship, confidence, and curiosity wherever she went.
Annie graduated from Story High School in Manchester-by-the-Sea and later attended Westbrook Junior College in Portland, Maine, and North Shore Community College. She went on to teach at Shore Nursery School, where each class she taught was lovingly known as her "nest." Her own class, the yellow birds, held a special place in her heart-a joyful group of little ones she affectionately recalled throughout her life. Along with her gentle guidance and creativity, "Mrs. G" brought music into the classroom, singing and playing her guitar as the children's favorite songs filled the room. Annie nurtured countless young minds with patience, imagination, and tenderness, inspiring them to grow into kind and confident individuals, as she was.
In her youth, Annie found great joy in horseback riding her beloved horse, Shorty "Short Stop," earning many trophies and ribbons over the years. She was also a proud member of the Rainbow Girls of Salem Assembly, where she served as the Worthy Advisor, the highest elected officer of the youth organization's Salem Assembly, teaching young girls leadership and service skills.
Annie and her beloved husband, Dick, shared a passion for travel, especially their trips to Bermuda, where they spent many happy years vacationing at The Reefs. Together, they cherished their cottage on Province Lake, New Hampshire, gathering their family and friends, creating memories that their loved ones will cherish forever. They spent countless summers exploring the United States and Canada in their camper, finding new adventures and creating countless stories they'd reminisce about until the end.
Above all, Annie was devoted to her family. Music was her language of love, and her guitar was never far from reach. She brought people together through song, from church choirs to family sing-alongs that filled every room with warmth and laughter. She took great pride in her daughters, their husbands, and her grandchildren, celebrating every milestone and cherishing even the smallest moments. She was rarely without her camera, capturing those everyday joys so that no moment of their lives went unnoticed. Annie also loved gardening, golfing, scrapbooking, and being surrounded by those she loved most.
Annie's strength and resilience were as defining as her kindness. Having faced and overcome breast cancer multiple times, she became a steadfast advocate for awareness and support, inspiring others through her courage, compassion, and unwavering optimism. Her passion for life never wavered. Even in the hardest times, she met each day with grace, humor, and gratitude.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the amazing caregivers who became like family to Mom. Your compassion, devotion, and kindness brought her peace and comfort throughout her final journey. A special thank-you to Cindy and Al Loyte, who showed such patience, love, and unwavering care along the way.
A funeral service will be held for Annie at First Parish Church Congregation, 10 Central Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, on Friday, October 24th at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Manchester-by-the-Sea. A celebration of Annie's life will follow the service at First Parish Chapel Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor Annie's memory to consider a donation to one of the following organizations supporting families navigating the health challenges she faced with such strength and grace: The Pink Fund - providing financial support to families undergoing breast cancer treatment at www.pinkfund.org, CaringKind NYC - offering training, tools, and guidance to caregivers and families supporting loved ones living with dementia at www.caringkindnyc.org or The American Heart Association - advancing research and education to fight heart disease and promote cardiovascular health at www.heart.org. Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Information, directions, condolence at www.campbellfuneral.com.
Annie will be remembered for her radiant spirit, her music, and her boundless love - for her family, her faith, and her community. She leaves behind a legacy of joy, resilience, and connection that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her.