Anne Mary (Horgan) Sparrow passed away peacefully in Newburyport, MA on June 11, 2023. Anne was born in Providence, RI. on December 20, 1925, the daughter of the late Annie Lena (Fallon) Horgan and Jeremiah D. Horgan. She graduated from Classical High School in Providence and the Cadet Nursing Corps at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Anne met her husband, Edward J. Sparrow who was stationed there while serving in the US Navy. After marrying in 1948, the couple settled in Providence, R.I. where Anne began her nursing career as a Public Health Nurse for the City of Providence. In a career that spanned many years, Anne worked as an Obstetrics nurse, a Director of Nursing and a Discharge Planner for St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA before retiring in 1988.
In addition to a full career in nursing, Anne also raised five children. In 1978 her husband Ed died after a short but heroic battle with cancer leaving Anne to raise her two youngest sons. With the help and support of family and friends, Anne’s home remained a gathering place for her Clam Boils, parties and her annual New Year’s dinner. She was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed researching her family genealogy. Anne had a passion for learning and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bridgewater State College in 1984. In retirement, Anne remained active working for the US Census Bureau and volunteering with the New Bedford Garden Club, the Samaritans, the Choir at St. Julie’s Church and as a proud “Tuesday Docent” for the New Bedford Whaling Museum. She especially enjoyed mentoring the children’s school groups at the museum and fueled her grandchildren’s civic interest with individual trips to Washington, DC. Anne cherished her friends and family always reaching out with a kind gesture or wise advice. She loved traveling and visited Europe, the Middle East, Russia and China.
Anne is survived by her daughter, Deborah and Gary Larson of Amesbury MA, sons, Edward and Patricia Sparrow, South Kingston, RI, William and Bonnie Sparrow, East Freetown, MA and daughters-in-law, Linda Sparrow of Taunton, MA and Donna Sparrow of Wareham, MA. She was predeceased by her husband, her brother William and her two sons, Richard E. Sparrow and Dennis J. Sparrow. She leaves ten grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday June 28th at 10 AM at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Rd., Dartmouth. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday June 27th from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740 or online at www.whalingmuseum.org. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.