Ann Chapel Osgood Howland

For 90 years, Ann Chapel Osgood Howland blessed her family, friends and contemporaries with kindness and grace. Ann died December 22, 2014 in Austin, Texas surrounded by her loving family at the end of a full, splendid life.

Ann was born to Emily Freeman Benson and Albert Kendrick Osgood on December 24, 1924 and spent her childhood in Ilion, New York. She attended St. Mary's, an Episcopal preparatory school in Peekskill, NY on the Hudson River and completed undergraduate work at Wellesley College. Ann met a young man from Oklahoma, the future Reverend Doctor William C. Howland, Jr. (Bill), at a dance at the Yale Divinity School while finishing her Master's Degree at the Yale School of Nursing. Six months later they married and began a 62 year partnership of love and service.

Ann and Bill served pastorates in Huntsville, Alabama; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Longview, Texas and Austin, Texas for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Their last moves were to Indianapolis, Indiana to the General Administrative Offices of the denomination and Washington, D.C. to National City Christian Church before retiring in Austin.

During her nursing career Ann was an instructor of nursing at the University of Texas in Austin and Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and a public health nurse and geriatric nurse coordinator in Arlington, Virginia. Ann was a loving mother of four children and a devoted minister's wife and partner in ministry. Ann supported the inclusion of people of all races and lifestyles in places of worship.

As a great lover of classical music she attended symphonies well into her 80's. A lifetime learner and lover of literature, her Kindle was filled with a broad range of books. Ann established Shakespeare Out Loud Reading Programs at her Assisted Living homes, engaging others to participate. She loved flowers and cultivating roses, especially Mr. Lincoln. Ann had perfect pitch and sang in the church choirs. With her remarkable memory she could sing every stanza of hymns and her family's favorite songs. Ann loved to dance, her favorites were tap and The Charleston. She maintained a sense of unending awe in our beautiful world and was an environmental trailblazer and a recycling devotee. Ann loved discussing politics, particularly with other Democrats. She looked forward to voting for Hillary Clinton for president. Ann was a news junkie and kept up with current events watching CNN for hours. Every Sunday she worked the NY Time's crossword puzzle. Ann loved musicals and romantic movies, most recently those with Tom Hanks.

Ann's deep and hearty laughter was contagious. She expressed unconditional love to her family and friends and found happiness and opportunity in each day. She sang and danced with her children in the kitchen and taught them to love the arts and to cherish life. She baked mouthwatering pecan pies and cooked countless pans of cheese grits for the needy and church gatherings. She opened her house for church parties and meetings and was a resourceful partner that Bill depended on and loved.

A unique and marvelous woman, Ann graced her family's lives and the lives of those who met or knew her with her love, joy and intelligence.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Doctor William Charles Howland, Jr., her parents, her brother, Dr. Albert Kendrick Osgood and sister, Helen Osgood Umberger. She is survived by her son, Dr. William Charles Howland III, daughters Mary Howland Macferran, Martha Howland Baker and Margaret Howland Williamson; and their spouses Cindy Couch Howland, Dr. Samuel Macferran, Jr. and Gary Williamson. Also, grandchildren William Charles Howland IV, Christen Brooke Howland, Mary Margaret Hurt Hover, Alexander Bradford Hurt, Tiffany Lutz Shortridge, Rebekah Baker Jaeschke, Robert Everett Baker, Brian Oliver Williamson and Mary Howland Williamson; and their spouses Samuel Deats, Shannon Shortridge, James Jaeschke , Emily Baker and great grandchildren George Anthony Lutz III, Ava McKaley Lutz, Steven Aurik Shortridge, Mountain Sparrow Jeffrey Gray, Robert Newcomb White Hover and Hananiah Justice Baker and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express special thanks to her aides Debra Stevens, Rita Houston and Maria Herrera for their love and tenderness.

A Memorial Service will be held at University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas on February 7, 2015, at 2:00 pm. A Service of Inurnment will be held at National City Christian Church, 5 Thomas Circle, N.W., Washington, D.C., on March 8, 2015, at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be made to National City Christian Church Foundation, 5 Thomas Circle, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005 or to the William and Ann Howland Jr. Minority Scholarship, Philips Theological Seminary, 901 North Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74116.