Ann (Becker) Crockett

Ann Crockett, 79, of Scarborough, died on May 7, at home. She was cared for in her final illness by her children Christopher, Alison, Lisa Lanham, and Nick; they were with her when she died. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Crockett, her brother Christopher Becker, and by a grandson, Mikail Russo of Camden, Maine.

She was the daughter of Howard and Frances Becker, sociologists, and was influenced by their research and knowledge of social institutions and customs, as well as by their deep enjoyment of literature, art, and music. She was educated in Madison, Wisconsin and spent several years abroad as a student in Germany and then in Edinburgh, Scotland. She graduated from Madison West High School in 1951, attended Brown University for a year and then returned to Wisconsin, graduating from Milwaukee-Downer College (now Lawrence University) in Appleton Wisconsin in 1955. Ann maintained relationships with her friends from grade school, high school, and college in Wisconsin and in Europe her life long.

She went on to receive an MS in Education from the University of Wisconsin in 1957, the same year she married Jean Bundy, the father of her four children, Christopher Bundy of Portland, Maine, Alison Bundy of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Lisa Lanham Bundy of Providence, Rhode Island, and Nicholas Bundy of Maynard, Massachusetts. Ann felt very close to her children and appreciated their originality, creativity, and humor. She was attached to Alison’s husband Sam Daoud, to her son Christopher’s daughter Ayiana Glaser-Bundy of Greenville, South Carolina, and to her son Nicholas’ wife Ann Bundy and his children Seamus and Declan Walter.

Her first marriage ended in divorce, and she married Walter Crockett in 1981, and had long and loving relationships with his children and grandchildren: Walter Crockett, Jr. of Milford, New Hampshire and grandson Timothy; Carolyn Russo and her husband Paul of Hope, Maine, grandchildren Keegan and Karinna; William “Ed” Crockett and his wife Martha of Portland, Maine, and grandchildren Seth, Mattie, and Ted.

Ann worked as an instructor of French and German at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, then as teacher and Director of Studies at Oak Grove – Coburn School in Vassalboro, Maine. She was a lively, sympathetic presence in the classroom and at the school, and many of her students stayed in touch with her throughout her life. She left eventually to enter the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program at the University of Maine, Orono, and graduated with her Ph.D. in 1988. She found success and fulfillment in her profession, and went on to become therapist and Program Director at Counseling Services, Inc. In 1994, she opened her own practice in Biddeford, Maine, where she specialized in working with clients with chronic mental and physical illnesses, and families. Ann retired January 22, 2009 on her 75th birthday. In her retirement she enjoyed the friendship of Beverly Chaloult of Biddeford, and Jane Hendrick of Wells, Maine. She liked spending time with her husband and her family, and she gardened, read lots of fiction and history, swam in her pool, and embroidered, all with great gusto. She always felt that she was a fortunate person with a rich and rewarding life.

In place of a church service, there will be a memorial gathering to celebrate Ann’s life on June 23 at Camp Ketcha, 336 Black Point Rd., Scarborough, Maine, from 2 – 5 p.m. Children, dogs, and cats welcome.

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 981 Forest Ave, Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.com if you’d like to sign Ann’s guestbook.

Donations in Ann’s memory may be made to Portland’s homeless shelter and food pantry:

Preble Street (Development Department)

PO Box 1459

Portland, Maine 04104