Anne Walsh Mitchell

Mitchell, Anne Walsh
CLIMAX - Anne Walsh Mitchell, of Climax, N.Y., died at her home on January 31, 2026, of dementia-related causes after a lengthy illness. She was an early education researcher and childcare advocate, who operated her own consulting business, Early Childhood Policy Research, from her home office for more than 25 years. She was a proud graduate of Wellesley College, and held a BS in Astronomy and an MA in Early Childhood Education, from Bank Street College of Education. Anne consulted with major foundations, state legislatures, and corporations. She served as board member, vice-president and president of the Greenville Central School District Board of Education for over 18 years, as president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and a term on the board of Scholastic Publications. Her husband of more than 43 years, Phillip Hershberger, survives her; as does their daughter, Amelia Mitchell Hershberger (James Duncan); and grandson, Henry Porter, of Albany; her sister, Gail Markway, of Atlanta, Ga.; and Henry's father, Jason Porter (Rebecca Rathbun), of Ballston Spa; along with many nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial gathering will take place at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville, N.Y., on Saturday, February 14, at 1:30 p.m., with sharing of remembrances at 2 p.m. Attendees should free free to wear a splash of red and eschew the funerial if they wish. A full obituary and condolence page is available at ajcunninghamfh.com