Ann Martin CARROLL

Ann Martin Carroll

Ann Martin Carroll, 69, went home to be with her Lord on Dec. 9, 2008, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Ann is survived by her husband of 42 years, Robert, her daughter, Patty, of Pasadena, Calif., and her son, Tom and his wife, Shannon, with grandchildren, Daniel and Jessica of Lynchburg. She is also survived by her three brothers, George Martin of New Britain, Conn., David Martin of Danbury, Conn., and Bill and Linda Martin of New Hartford, Conn.; cousin, Jim and Sharon Martin of Westfield, Mass.; and her sisters-in-law, Mother Mary Jennifer of Sacred Heart in New Britain, Conn., and Christine and Dale Rose of Newton, Kan. She was beloved by all, including her many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Ann was born in Foxboro, Mass., on April 11, 1939, and after a short time in New York, moved to Norwalk, Conn., where she grew up in the parsonage as daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Harold Martin. Ann was a graduate of Norwalk High School and West Virginia Wesleyan College with a degree in elementary education. She taught in both the Norwalk and Suffield school systems in Connecticut.

Ann met her husband, Bob, while they were both participating in a community theater group and they were married Aug. 20, 1966. They made a home in Suffield, Conn., where they raised their two children and enjoyed a life full of church activities, community involvement, gardening and music. They moved to Lynchburg in 2006.

Ann was an active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Suffield, Conn., and most recently of Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg. She devoted her time to participating in Bible studies, missions events and music ministries, and treasured the friends she made in each congregation.

Ann loved music and sang in church choirs and choral groups throughout her life. She especially enjoyed being a member of the Springfield Symphony Chorus in Massachusetts, where she sang for 15 years. She also traveled yearly to sing in the Berkshire Choral festival and enjoyed her local involvement in the Lynchburg Choral Union and the Heritage Baptist Church choir.

Ann's special interest was sewing, especially quilting, often using her talent for the good of the community by creating mastectomy pillows for breast cancer patients, creating baby quilts for women in crisis and making crafts for church fundraisers. Ann's creations are special keepsakes shared by many family members, neighbors and friends.

A celebration of Ann's faith and life will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at Heritage Baptist Church.

Those wishing to make donations in memory of Ann are asked to consider the ministries where she donated her quilts, Liberty Godparent Home, (434) 845-3466; or the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, (434) 528-4321, both of Lynchburg. Donations can also be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Berkshire Choral Festival in memory of Ann Carroll at 245 North Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257.

Special thanks go out to those who cared for Ann and the family, including Dr. John MacNeill, Connie Gunter-Miller, Gentle Shepherd Hospice and the members of Heritage Baptist Church. Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.

tharpfuneralhome.com.