Ann Caswell

RYE — Ann Caswell, 91, formerly of Wallingford, Conn., died Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, at Webster at Rye, after a period of declining health.

Ann was born Jan. 8, 1920, and was raised in Wallingford. She was a daughter of the late Fanfello and Theodolinda (Varese) Fanfesti.

She graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1936 and received her diploma from the Standard Business Institute of Chicago in 1939.

She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Caswell of Arlington, Mass., and her former son-in-law, Lee E. Slocum. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; and friends who brought her much joy throughout her life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank J. Caswell, who died in 1981, and her only grandson, Todd Caswell Slocum in 1990. She was also predeceased by her five siblings, three sisters, Rita Hacku, Louise Carroll and Harriet Crocco, and two brothers, Edward and Edo Fanfesti.

WE REMEMBER: During World War II, she worked as an executive secretary at Wallace Silversmiths in Wallingford, and wrote poetry for The Wallace News. She also performed locally in the "Harmony Sisters."

She met Frank J. Caswell in August 1942; they were married in 1946 and lived in Rye, where they shared 35 wonderful years of marriage.

She was a communicant of St. Theresa's in Rye Beach, where she also sang in the choir for many years.

She was a volunteer all her life. She sold war bonds, served as a chairwoman of the local Red Cross and later spent more than 15 years entertaining residents of Webster with her singing and piano-playing talents. She received Webster's first Volunteer of the Year Award in 1996.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and also a terrific cook. She loved to entertain and is especially remembered for all the great meals — in particular, the blueberry pies and the many wonderful lobster cookouts enjoyed by family and friends every summer at the house at Rye Harbor.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Webster at Rye for the excellent care it provided during the entire course of her residence there, lasting nearly 11 years.

SERVICES: Her family will receive relatives and friends at the wake, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel, Portsmouth. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 815 Central Road, Rye.

Interment in Central Cemetery, Rye.

Published in the Wiscasset Newspaper, wiscasset, ME 10-27-2011.