Ann Carr

Ann Carr

Ann Ballantine Carr, October 1, 1953 to August 8, 2013

An incredible wife, mother, daughter and friend. She lived a life filled with many passions.

Her first passion was her family. She leaves behind her husband Steve Hyman, who she often referred to as her "rock" and their son, Dylan. On a daily basis she delighted in being with Dylan or talking about his artistic skills, ability to excel in sports and languages and his empathy for people.
She was devoted to and survived by her parents, Ron and Jane Carr of Cleveland, Ohio, her "Irish twin" sister Mary Carr of Portland, Oregon, brothers Michael Carr of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tom Carr of Portland, Oregon, and Jim Carr of Cleveland, Ohio, as well as her nieces and many nephews. Family gatherings were always highlights of her year.

Another passion was her work in the field of Early Childhood Special Education. Ann started on her career path graduating from John Carroll University in Cleveland then taking her Masters as a speech and language pathologist from Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee, providing services to infant, toddlers, and their families in Tennessee, Texas and San Francisco. She spent several years working nationally out of a Boston office then state wide from Sacramento, doing curriculum development, all the while living in San Francisco in a 1908 Edwardian home she and her husband were restoring.

Her strong work ethic and impeccable skills enabled Ann to be recognized and respected as an expert in her field. In the past 15 years, she owned and operated her own company, Early Childhood Associates and easily gained contracts to work in Napa, San Diego and in the Bay Area as a college professor, trainer and facilitator ensuring school districts, family resource centers, the San Francisco Public Library and other child agencies work together to promote inclusion of young children with special needs and early literacy development. She was a true friend who brought love and humor to her friends and colleagues who became her friends. Although busy with her career and family, Ann always made time to enjoy get-a ways with her friends.

Ann loved to spend time in the outdoors often hiking with her husband and always looked forward to their yearly trips to Yosemite. Her family took many trips which where a time of fun and renewal for her. She had a passion for knitting, yoga, Pilates and walking through her neighborhood, Golden Gate Park or Crissy Field. She enjoyed every evening watching the sunset off her back porch at her home in San Francisco.

A family has lost their "sweetheart." The field of Early Childhood has lost a champion. We know her spirit will always be in our hearts and thoughts. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Head Start - Child Start, 439 Devlin Rd, Napa, CA 94558. We would like to thank the entire staff at UCSF Medical Center for their very kind, caring and compassionate care of Ann during her recent illness. A memorial will be held in June when our son returns from his year abroad in Spain.