Ann Jennalie Cook Calhoun

Nashville, TN

Ann Jennalie Cook Calhoun was born October 19, 1934 in Wewoka, OK. She died on August 13, 2017 at The Alive Hospice Residence, Nashville, TN following a sudden illness. Highly admired for her multi-faceted intellectualism, ever-present charm, biting wit, and enveloping kindness, she will be dearly missed. She was a beacon of light in the world, beloved by the many people and organizations to which she dedicated herself for nearly 50 years.

After receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees from Oklahoma University, Ann settled in Nashville in 1968 with her first husband, Howard Lee Harrod, and their two daughters. She went on to receive her PhD from Vanderbilt University, and it was in Nashville that she found her place in the academic world and began building her lasting impact as a Shakespeare scholar.

Ann was internationally renowned for her knowledge, innovation, and passion for Shakespeare's life and plays and taught at Vanderbilt for over 20 years as a professor of English, emerita. She helped found the International Shakespeare Association, served as executive secretary for the Shakespeare Association of America, and was the only American on the board of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon. She published two books about Shakespeare with Princeton University Press, was a founding board member of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, and taught graduate level summer courses at The Sewanee School of Letters. She was teaching there when she suddenly fell ill.

In 1974 she married John Donelson Whalley, who passed away in 1992. In 1994, she reconnected with and married her high school sweetheart, Gerald "Gerry" Calhoun - the only person in the world who called her "Jennie." Together, they traveled, enjoyed time with their grandchildren, and pursued many diverse ways of helping others. After rapidly declining in health during the span of Ann's month-long illness, Gerry preceded Ann in death by just a few hours. In death as in life, they never left each other's side. Shakespeare himself could not have scripted a more perfect exit for the two of them.

Ann is survived by two children, Lee Ann Merrick (Scott) and Amy Ceil Leonard (Jim); two siblings, Sue Karcher(Al) and David Cook (Shirlee); and four grandchildren, Miranda Lee Buell (Tim), Colin Stafford Merrick, John Donelson Leonard, and Grace Ann Leonard. She also leaves behind a host of dear friends and adopted family members who were affected by her generosity and willingness to bring them into her world.

A Holy Eucharist and Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, September 12th at 11:00am, with the family receiving visitors at the Cathedral beginning at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Church Cathedral's Room In The Inn program, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, or Alive Hospice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Sep. 8 to Sep. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Ann Calhoun

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2 Entries

Stephen Harris

December 19, 2020

I'm just now learning of Professor Cook's death because, now an English teacher myself, I was writing a recommendation letter for a student applying to Vanderbilt, and started reminiscing about my own wonderful years there, and thought to check how my favorite professor was doing. I met Professor Cook when she, as department chair, had to review my credits from my junior year abroad in Cambridge. Those credits of course offered little equivalent to Vanderbilt's credits, and could have been interpreted adversely, leaving me with many requirements yet for my English major. But she wanted me in her senior Honors seminar, perhaps because my interest was, like hers, primarily in the historical context of Elizabethan theater, or perhaps just because. I'd never considered writing a thesis, but with a few keystrokes, she made room in my schedule for what became the most satisfying intellectual work and most tender teacher-student relationship of my life (including two subsequent graduate degrees). Our classes and thesis consultations were a delight, and the parties in her apartment even better. We stayed in touch for several years, so that, when she next visited New York City, she invited me and my new wife to a fabulous soiree on Riverside Drive, with professors, patrons, and a movie star. That was the last I saw her, and a wonderful way to remember her, with a champagne flute in hand and her equally crystalline laugh.

Alison Paul Miller

February 14, 2018

I am so saddened to learn of the passing of Prof Cook. I took her Shakespeare courses while at Vandy in 1978 -1979. She was so vivacious and excited about Shakespeare and she was one of my favorite professors. She had us to her home for a play at the end of the semester which was so much fun and she was so hospitable. We also shared Univ of Oklahoma backgrounds as my grandfather was President of the University when she attended there. I have fond memories of her and send my condolences to her family. What a special person she was.

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