Born in Illinois, she graduated from Northwestern University’s Theater School in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech.

In 1986, Ann opened the kids’ place book store at 106 North Jefferson Street, hosting special events each year. With the John Bellairs Walk, Ann and friends escorted children and adults to the places in Marshall that inspired author John Bellairs' children books, and introduced some to the key characters in those books. Her "Let in the Light" event for "Banned Books Week” event was recognized by the American Booksellers Association and the Great Lakes Booksellers Association, in which she held membership, as well as by the Detroit News and Gannett News Service. Every year, Ann helped Marshall Area Community Services with their Christmas efforts by coordinating the gifting of books to children in need. She was active on the Literacy Council, and was always very supportive of aspiring authors from Marshall and the surrounding area. The store also sponsored a children’s city ball team for many years.

In 1990, the Women’s National Book Association named Ann the winner of the Lucille Micheels Pannell Award for "bringing children and books together" with the Bellairs Walk. The Walk - and later a published Bellairs Tour, posted online by fans of the author - also led to the placement of a historical marker at the Cronin House at 407 North Madison Street. The marker honors "The House With A Clock On It’s Walls," the first Bellairs book set in New Zebedee (his fictionalized Marshall); the Cronin House inspired the book.

As the founder of "Little Red Hen Productions," Ann created "Marshall-Color Me Historical," a coloring book to help teach local history to children. She even had the book translated to Japanese to be distributed in our sister city of Koka-cho, Japan. Other Red Hen productions include a live-on-stage "revival" of the classic radio play "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas;" a "dessert-theatre" performance of "Love Letters;" readings of "Lysistrata" at the kid’s place as part of a worldwide theatre event for peace; and two performances of the world’s first opera written for television, "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

Ann’s health forced her to close her beloved store at the end of 2006, after just over twenty years as “a resource for children of all ages.” She passed away in January 2007 at age 73.

Source: Obituary