ANN BABCOCK

BABCOCK--Ann Harden. Of McConnellsville, NY, Hyannis Port, MA and North Palm Beach, FL passed away on August 15, 2019 at the age of 94. She was a lifelong resident of the village of McConnellsville, home to the Harden Furniture Company, a business started by her ancestors just after the Civil War. The firm grew to be one of the largest family-owned furniture manufacturers in the country. Ann was valedictorian of her class at Camden High School, where she met her future husband, Gordon Babcock. She graduated from Wells College in 1945 and moved to New York City where she studied interior design before returning to upstate New York. Ann and Gordon were married at her parent's home on October 23, 1948. With her professional training and innate sense for color, scale and pattern, Ann devoted her career to Harden Furniture, selecting fabrics and guiding the design of many successful collections. Together with Gordon, the firm's Vice President of Manufacturing, she traveled to industry trade shows in New York, Chicago and North Carolina, developing many friendships with customers and other manufacturers. She was respected in the industry and was beloved by many Harden Furniture employees. In a 2012 Citizen of the Year tribute to Ann and her brother, Dave Harden, the speaker described her as "a woman of graceful distinction [and] integral and highly valued part of Harden Furniture." A talented musician, Ann served as organist and choir director for the McConnellsville Community Church (United Church of Christ) for more than 60 years. She participated in a number of local organizations, most lovingly the McConnellsville Garden Club, and supported several local charities, either personally or through the Harden Foundation. She was a member of the Hyannisport Club, the Lost Tree Club, and an honorary member of the Onondaga Golf and Country Club. She served on the board that brought Upstate Medical Center to Syracuse and was a Commander Sister in the Order of St. John, dedicated to eye care in Jerusalem. A strong supporter of education, she served on the Board of Trustees of Wells College beginning in 1992 and later as an Honorary Trustee. Ann was happiest when entertaining family members who gathered each summer at the family house in Hyannis Port. There, she was a member of the Union Chapel and St. Andrew's by the Sea. During her winter stays at her home in North Palm Beach, FL, she was a member of the Lost Tree Chapel and was a trophy winning member of the "Pelican Putters" at the Lost Tree Club. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, her brother David Harden, and his wife, also named Ann. She is survived by her son, Christopher Harden Babcock of Hyannis Port and New York, daughter Pamela Babcock Stein and husband Mark, of Dallas and New York, grandchildren Anne Chrestien Stein of Brooklyn, and Jonathan Babcock Stein and wife Polina Khentov of Manhattan, and two great- granddaughters Sasha Ann and Sydney Ludlow Stein. The family wishes to express its gratitude to Judy and Jim Moore for their many years of assistance and friendship to Ann, and to the team of caregivers who made it pos-sible for her to remain at her home during the past several months. A memorial service celebrating the life of Ann Harden Babcock will be held at the McConnellsville Community Church at 11am on August 30, 2019. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McConnellsville Community Church, UCC, McConnellsville, New York 13401. You may view obituary and send a message of condolence online at: www.larobardiere funeralhome.com