Obituary of Anne Claude Willets

Anne Claude Willets, 94, died October 16th at the Essex Meadows. Born on March 23, 1917 and raised in Washington, DC, she moved to Essex in 1939. She and her late husband, Thomas S. Willets were very active in the community and enjoyed life on the water. She was a member of Saint John's Episcopal Church and the Church Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Essex Yacht Club and the Old Lyme Country Club, as well as a member and former Chairman of the Friends of the Essex Library. She was a member and former President of the Essex Garden Club—for which her family was particularly appreciative as the affiliation provided plentiful supplies of Essex May Market Garlic Salt for years. She had a flair for language and was keen to impart her aptitude for vocabulary on those around her. She was quick to laugh at jokes (and herself), cherished her friends, was proud of her family, and detested poor grammar. Those who will miss her most include: her brother Abram Claude, Jr. of North Salem, NY; her daughters, Nancy Ardizone of Columbus, IN and Kitty Mountain of Essex Fells, NJ, and their families including two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., December 2 at St. John's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Essex Land Trust or St. John's Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.