Ann S. Kent

Ann S. Kent, 83, of Franklin, formerly of Rumney, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 10, 2012, at Franklin Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, Ann was the only child of John Stacey and Marguerite (Lee) Stacey. She was raised in both New Jersey and Ohio, and was a resident of Rumney for over 40 years.

Ann graduated from Wellington High School in 1946 and went on to Oberlin College where she met her husband Joe. Ann and Joe were married in 1948 and spent their early years in Henniker at New England College where Joe taught and Ann organized and ran the Library.

Since settling in Rumney in the mid 1960's, Ann had been involved in many community projects. A founding member of the Quincy Bog Natural Area, Ann enjoyed watching birds and spending time in nature. She and her husband Joe also ran an antiquarian book business in Rumney, Stinson House Books (later Village Books). Most recently Ann has enjoyed sharing her knowledge of White Mountain Books and memorabilia with collectors and institutions.

Ann was also a founding member of New Hampshire PFLAG working to bring about support for families and friends of gay and lesbian individuals. This work extended to both Plymouth State University and Plymouth Regional High School in the form of student support groups.

Also active in the New Hampshire Democratic Party, Ann ran for State Senate in 1994. Ann was a great lover of music; extending her love as a board member of the New Hampshire Music Festival and the chair of the music committee at the Plymouth Congregational Church. In her spare time she enjoyed reading, puzzles of every type and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.

She is predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Lt. Col. George Nelson Kent, and two sons, Jeffrey P. and Jonathan S. Kent.

Ann is survived by her three children, Bruce S. Kent, of Lincoln, Martha Kent, of Charleston, S.C., and Jennifer Larochelle and husband Roger, of Hebron; eight grandchildren: Michelle Melton and husband Trea, Nicholas O'Banion and wife Janille of Charleston, SC, Arianne Kent of Pheonix, AR, Alex Kent of Hebron, NH, and Grace and Chloe Larochelle of Rochester, NH and seven great-grandchildren: Star and Amber Williams and Nicholas Chapman and Chandler and Kylie Melton and Sabrina and Sebastian Holland all of Charleston, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ann's memory to the Plymouth Congregational Church Music Ministry, Post Office Square, Plymouth, NH 03264, or to the Quincy Bog Natural Area, PO Box 90, Rumney, NH 03266.