Ann Elizabeth Welles of Old Mystic, aged 98 years, passed away on May 2nd 2024 surrounded by family and friends.
Born in Stonington Borough April 14, 1926 to Richard Herman and Annie Harvey, Ann is one of 12 siblings and is the last of those to pass. She grew up on Water Street in Mystic where she attended Mystic Academy. She walked home from school during the Hurricane of 1938 only to be stopped while clinging to a utility pole by the sight of bricks blowing across the street from the third story of the Davis Standard mill.
Her childhood was spent hanging out with her Hayes friends at Swimming Rocks off Fort Rachel, treading for quahogs and swimming in the river.
Ann Welles is a Fitch High School graduate and married Ralph Welles, a merchant seaman in 1946. Ann is survived by her son, Gary Welles, of Old Mystic, and dear friends with whom she would often be seen around town. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, by whom she was lovingly called “Aunt Snooks”.
Ann worked at Fort Trumbull during World War II and later was a volunteer ombudsman for the state at local nursing homes. She worked on the Naval Base in the Officers’ Club where she was chosen to serve Admiral Zumwalt's party. Her career in Groton Public Schools, most notably as the Northeast School Secretary, began with her hiring by S.B. Butler and lasted until her retirement from the Central Office at age 80.
Ann was loved by many and known throughout the community. She loved children and spoke very fondly of her time working for the schools. Ann had a love for music, hiking, gardening, flowers, and blue shell crabs. She was also a passionate dancer and would often take classes in modern dance and tap, sometimes traveling as far as New York City.
Ann will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Visiting hours will be held from 9am to 11:00am on Saturday, May 18, at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic.
Immediately following visiting hours, a Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am the funeral home.
Services will conclude with burial in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic.