Anne Bourne Rose

February 26,1936- July 19, 2025

Anne Bourne Rose passed away peacefully on July 19, 2025, at the age of 89 at Piper Shores Retirement Community in Scarborough, Maine.

Born on February 26, 1936, in New York City, Anne lived "the most wonderful life," as stated in her Smith College 50th reunion biography.  She was the beloved wife of the late James McKinley Rose, Jr., and a devoted mother to daughters Annie Rose Williams, of Falmouth, Maine, and the late Lee Rose Emery, of Los Angeles, California.  Her granddaughter, Averill Emery and grandson Hayden Emery, as well as her sons-in-law, Chip Williams and Josiah Emery, brought her immeasurable joy.

Anne was a dedicated teacher, and an artist at heart.   She possessed a strong work ethic marked by a deep sense of responsibility and purpose in all she did.  Her first job, after graduating from Smith College in 1957, was teaching at the Reuben Dake school in Rochester, New York.  Two years later, she moved to Manhattan where she was introduced to her future husband.  Anne and Jim Rose married in August 1960.  For six years, Anne taught English to foreign born students.  Then, in 1970, Jim was offered a position with HUD in Washington, DC, and the family, including Anne, age 9 and Lee, age 5, moved from their apartment to a house with a yard.  Anne admitted moving to Washington was the best decision they ever made.

While Anne and Lee attended elementary school, Anne enriched her knowledge of art by becoming a docent at the National Gallery.  She was an exceptional guide and could inspire even the least interested schoolchild.  Shortly after, she enrolled in classes in painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and printmaking, further enabling her to teach art. Additionally, she updated her certification in Elementary education at George Mason University and eventually secured a job as fifth grade teacher at The National Cathedral School.  Anne spent 20 years at NCS teaching English literature and composition, religion, and American History, incorporating art throughout the curriculum, and instilling in her students a love of learning that lasted long after they left her classroom.

After retiring in 2001, Anne, a lifelong learner, returned to art and enrolled in a variety of painting classes.  She wrote, "Painting for me is a celebration of life.  Of the extraordinary beauty in nature, which surrounds us, and deep down I want to share this love with others." Her one-woman show at the Yellow Barn Gallery in Bethesda, Maryland in 2005 was a highlight, showcasing canvases with vibrant, saturated colors.

Anne's ties to Washington National Cathedral remained strong, and she and Jim became docents, sharing the magnificence of the art and layered history of the Cathedral with people from all over the world.

The Roses had an abiding affection for Prouts Neck, Maine, where they summered from the time of their marriage.  In 2015, they retired to the Piper Shores Retirement Community a few miles from Prouts in Scarborough.  Anne continued to paint, play tennis, and enjoy activities with friends and family well into her 80s.  Her energy and enthusiasm were unflagging, and her laugh infectious.  Anne's life was a testament to engagement: intellectual, artistic, and personal.  She will be remembered for her compassion, generosity of spirit, commitment to service, and for her boundless love for her family and enduring strength through life's joys and sorrows.

A Celebration of Life was held at Prouts Neck, Maine July 30, 2025.