Mrs. Ann Stewart Burch

Ann (Stewart) Burch, 100, of Stamford, VT, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loved ones. Ann was born on June 5, 1924, in Auburn, NY, to the Rev. Harris B. Stewart and Mildred (Woodruff) Stewart. She spent her early years on the campus of the Auburn Theological Seminary, where her grandfather was president and her father served as treasurer and teacher. When the seminary relocated to the Union Theological Seminary campus in New York City in 1939, the family moved to Aurora, NY, where her father became the minister of the Presbyterian Church there. She graduated in a class of three from the Cayuga Academy in town. Being too young to go off to college, she attended The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA, for two years, graduating in 1942. Ann then entered Cornell University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Rural Sociology. It was at Cornell that she met her future husband, Charles Burch, of Warren, PA, who was earning his Doctorate in botany. They were married on Nov. 15, 1946, in the Aurora Presbyterian Church, officiated by her father. Son Carl was born in Ithaca in 1948, followed by daughter MaryAnn in 1951. The family moved across country in 1951, where Charles accepted a teaching position at the newly established Long Beach State College. Daughter Caroline was born in 1953. In 1964, the family returned east for a teaching sabbatical at Hartwick College and decided to stay. In 1967, the Burches came full circle by moving back to Aurora, where Charles taught at Wells College and where the family homestead remains today. Ann was an active member of the community, becoming involved in every aspect of village life. She served as a Village Trustee and longtime election official. She was the slide curator of the Wells Art Department for many years. She was most proud of her more than 30 years volunteering at the Aurora Free Library. She was a longtime member of Thursday Club, a women’s group to which her mother had also belonged. She was a member of the Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting in Poplar Ridge, NY, where she joyously celebrated her 100th birthday in June. Ann lived independently in the family home until the age of 94, when she moved in with Caroline in Stamford. Ann and Charles were dedicated educators, in death as in life, and in 1972, both signed up for the Anatomical Gift Program at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. She was a lifelong Yankees fan, a voracious reader, a nightly Jeopardy watcher, a green-thumb gardener, and a cherished neighbor. Ann lived an exemplary life, filled with world travel and interesting adventures, developing lasting friendships along the way. At age 88, her family took her on a two-week trip to Ireland to explore her Scotch-Irish heritage and in 2014 she celebrated her 90th in Norway with family and friends. She was the essence of kindness, grace, curiosity, and good humor, and a role model of courage and determination. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 14, 2006, as well as her brothers, Harris B. Stewart, Jr. in 2000 and John W. Stewart in 2022, and son-in-law Nils Nøbben in 2023. She is survived by her children, Carl (Debra) Burch of Miami, FL, MaryAnn Nøbben (Nils) of Skammestein, Norway, and Caroline Burch of Stamford, with whom she lived for the past seven years. She also leaves two nieces, two nephews and their children. She was the last of her generation. A Celebration of Life will be held later in the year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stamford (VT) Fire Department or the Northern Berkshire EMS, who were so responsive and compassionate in Ann’s care.

Mrs. Ann Stewart Burch

June 5, 1924 - July 13, 2024