Anne B. Ayer

Anne B. (Brenn) Ayer, 96,  of Franklin, died peacefully Friday November 27, 2020 at her home with her family at her side. She was born Anne Elvira Brenn, on February 9, 1924 to Charles and Alta Brenn in Scotland, CT, where she grew up on a farm with four siblings in a loving home.

Anne was a graduate of Windham High School and studied nursing before marrying Eugene L. Ayer in 1943. She and Eugene lived and worked together on the Ayer family farm in Franklin for many years. Anne also worked alongside her husband in his business building golf courses as far away as Mexico, and later worked as bookkeeper for the Franklin School and several local businesses. Anne finished her career as Matching Gifts Coordinator at United Technologies in Hartford, a job she really loved.

Anne enjoyed serving her community. She was a devoted member of the Franklin Congregational Church, where she served in a wide range of capacities and sang in the choir for many years. Anne also served as a club leader in the 4H Club, lifetime member of the Grange, member of the Franklin Republican town committee and the Franklin Historical Society where she served as Town Historian. She loved history and was a founding board member of the Ashbel Woodward Museum, raising significant funds for its development. Anne and Eugene also enjoyed genealogy and created beautiful family archives for both sides of their families.

Anne was a true Christian who loved her Lord and is now, in His arms and reunited with her family and friends in heaven. She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene L. Ayer (Aug. 20, 2002), her daughter, Judith Ayer Doyle (Dec. 26, 2019) and her siblings, Betty Bearce, Irene Blakeslee, Peter Brenn, and Bailey Brenn. Anne loved her family and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She leaves her son David L. Ayer and his wife Kathleen Hagan Ayer of Franklin who lived with her the last seven years of her life.  Anne also leaves her three grandchildren David Ayer Jr. (Denise) of Canton, PA, Steven Ayer (Delia) of Franklin, CT and Amber Ayer Stepper of Westwood, MA along with nine great grandchildren: Gavrielle, Moriyah, Cyrus, Sofia, Madison, Isobel, Larson, Sienna, Aria and many other family and friends. 

Her family and friends will greatly miss her unwavering kind and caring nature, her bright smile and infectious laugh, her love of singing and music, and her unending energy, love and positivity. A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm, Friday, December 18, at the Plains Cemetery, Under the Mountain Road, Franklin CT.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin Congregational Church, 31 Meetinghouse Hill Road, Franklin, CT 06254.