Ann Blakeslee Black died on September 15, 2022, in Burlington.

Born on July 27, 1924 to the late Alexis and Louise (Ormsby) Kleberg in New Rochelle, NY, Ann graduated from Northfield Seminary (now the Northfield Mt. Hermon School) and Cornell University, returning to school to get an advanced degree in Special Education from Univ of SoCT.

She met Robert N. Blakeslee on a blind date and claims that she knew he was The One as soon as she saw him. They had three daughters, all who survive her: Katherine B. Shutkin of Bedford, Louise B. Gilpin of Vineyard Haven, MA, and Barbara B. Sage of San Antonio, TX. Ann also leaves eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She first taught at the Plumfield School in Darien, CT and later at The Foote School in New Haven and at the High Hill School in Madison, CT. She was a long-time resident of Woodbridge, CT, Killingworth, CT, and Litchfield, CT. After being widowed and marrying Hiram Black, a college classmate of her first husband Bob, Ann moved to Florida. He also predeceased her.

Ann was a stylish woman with an eye for all things beautiful. She filled each home she lived in with antiques carefully collected over the years as well as many examples of her needlework. Among her creations were magnificent crewel curtains, chairs, and bed linens, some of which are now in the Nantucket Historical Society, the Siasconset Union Chapel, and the Lexington Historical Society. Her family jokes that they only saw the top of her head for months as she completed all this fancywork. Ann was a world renowned collector of thimbles and sewing accessories, some of which dated back to the 17th century. Many dear friendships were made with like-minded collectors.

She also loved her students and often came home to regale her family with stories about them. Once, after being absent when her mother-in-law died, one child wanted to hear the story including how they knew that the elderly woman had died. Ann explained it in simple terms and said that people came from the funeral home to take the body away. After a pause, the child asked, "Well, what did they do with her head?"

And then there was her fascination with professional tennis, which could pull her away from almost any gathering. Ann always hoped that one of her daughters might show some talent for the game. After many lessons with a local pro, the woman finally said, "Ann, you are wasting your money." She also loved classical music, especially traditional Christmas music, and often stayed up all night on Christmas Eve, unwilling to miss any of it. An unenthusiastic cook, she would have preferred no kitchen in the house and would have chosen to always eat dessert first. She was a lover of cookies, beautiful clothes, and spending time with family. Most of all, she cherished being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Donations in Ann's memory may be sent to the Robert N. Blakeslee Fund at the First Congregational Church of Litchfield (CT), 21 Torrington Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759 or to Hospice First Choice Community Medical Services.

Burial will be private.