Obituary of Anne Giddings

CHESHIRE -- Anne Roede Giddings, 66, died Monday, April 25, 2011. She was the wife of Dr. Robert Fisk Giddings. Mrs. Giddings was born August 11, 1944 in Albany, New York, daughter of the late Charles Bernhard and Martha (Blohm) Roede. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with distinction at the end of her third year. She then earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Northwestern University. In 2003, she earned her Doctor of Education degree from the University of Hartford. Mrs. Giddings was a lifelong educator. She taught mathematics at the high school level in several school districts, including Durham and Woodbridge. She was an assistant principal at Newington High School, Principal of John Wallace Middle School in Newington, Curriculum Supervisor in Newington, and Assistant Superintendent and Acting Superintendent in Ansonia before retiring in 2008. In 2009 Mrs. Giddings was elected to the Cheshire Town Council, where she chaired the Ordinance Review Committee and served on the Personnel Committee and was the liaison to the Cheshire Housing Authority, Historic District Commission, and the Environment Committee. Anne was a member of the First Congregational Church of Cheshire for forty years. At the time of her death, she was the Senior Deacon, a Delegate, and a member of the choir. Over the years she served the church in many capacities, including as a Sunday School teacher and member of several boards and committees. She was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and formerly served for many years as a Girl Scout leader and trainer. She had also served on Cheshire's Environment Commission, Recycling Steering Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Cheshire Land Trust. She was a member of the Lady Fenwick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Anne had seemingly boundless energy, which was almost exclusively channeled into helping others. She provided meals for those in need, countless refreshments for church functions, donated fifteen gallons of blood, planted her best gardens near the road for the benefit of people passing by, and was always available to help, to counsel, and to guide. She always led by example and never expected or wanted anything in return, especially public recognition. In addition to her husband of 44 years, Mrs. Giddings is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Giddings Gillespie of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina and her son-in-law, Dr. M. Boyd Gillespie; her son, Robert Philip Giddings of Storrs and her daughter-in-law, Lisa Anne Giddings; three grandchildren, Lillian Clare, Helen Margaret, and Philip Boyd Gillespie; identical twin sister, Janet E. Ashcroft and her husband John D. Ashcroft of Willard, Missouri; a brother, Arthur H. Roede and his wife Ann M. Roede of Cary, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, John B. Roede. Arrangements - Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends may call on the family at Alderson Funeral Home of Cheshire 615 S. Main St. on Friday, April 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Capital Maintenance and Repair Fund or the Deacons Memorial Fund of the First Congregational Church of Cheshire 111, Church Dr., Cheshire, CT 06410.