Ann Twombly

1949 - 2025

Twombly, Ann

October 15, 1949 - May 29, 2025

Ann Louise Twombly of Arlington, MA Thursday May 29, 2025 after a courageous battle with complications related to metastatic breast cancer. Beloved wife and partner for 42 years of William J. Blake, Jr. Cherished mother of Angus W. Blake (girlfriend, Tess Lane), Cambridge, MA; and the late, beloved, Nora Veronica Blake. Daughter of the late Joseph W. and Louise (Melgard) Twombly. Devoted sister of Joan Wright, Collinsville, IL; Jim Twombly (Sally Shrout), Tulsa, OK; Mary Twombly (Steve Andruss), Bingen, WA; Jane Barnhart (Dennis Rocchio), Washington, MO; Betsy Twombly, Collinsville, IL; John Twombly (Anne Powell) Edwardsville, IL; and Paul Twombly (Melissa), Wildwood, MO. Aunt of numerous nieces and nephews spread far and wide. Born in Boston and raised in suburban St. Louis, Ann was an alumna of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, St. Charles, class of 1968 and Carleton College, class of 1973. After arriving back in Boston not long after graduation, Ann soon established herself as an accomplished professional in the publishing industry. She served as the Production Director of Northeastern University Press for 22 years, and she was an active member of Book Builders of Boston. Upon the closing of Northeastern University Press in 2004, Ann continued her work as a free-lance editor and proofreader, shepherding scores of diverse, scholarly manuscripts to their completion, many for Yale University Press. Ann was an avid reader, gardener, and devotee of the arts. She enthusiastically pursued dance classes at the Lexington School of Ballet for many years, twice being cast in the school's annual Nutcracker production. Over many years, Ann and her ballet lady friends shared dinners and attendance at the Boston Ballet. She and husband, Bill, were subscribers of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years, and Ann truly enjoyed their annual visits to Tanglewood each summer. Ann's culinary skills were unmatched. She and Bill hosted countless, memorable holiday meals and dinner parties for family and friends at their Arlington home. Ann also enjoyed fine dining in the Boston area's restaurants, especially if oysters were involved. She especially loved Paris, where she honeymooned with Bill and they returned several times thereafter. We will miss her very much. Truly grateful thanks is accorded to the caring clinicians, attending physicians, and nursing staff at Mt. Auburn Hospital and most appreciatively to Ann's oncologist, Dr. Han-Ting Lin. Donations in Ann's memory to the American Cancer Society, Doctors Without Borders, or the American Red Cross would be greatly appreciated.