Ann Severn Lear

The oldest of 3 children of Harold and Helen Severn, Ann was born in Seneca Falls, NY with a heart of humility and service. She met Roger at IBM in Endicott, NY in 1957, and after twice rebuffing his marriage proposals, she finally relented. They were married October 15th, 1960, in Vestal, NY. In 1965, she and Roger left their families in upstate New York, and with a 1-year-old son, they moved with IBM to Cary, NC. Their second son arrived in 1967.

Ann was an ever-present, inspirational Christ-following influence on Roger, Kirk and Kyle and friends. Cub Scout Den Leader, PTA volunteer, White Plains United Methodist Church Sunday School teacher, school reading mentor, trusted friend and neighbor to many, “Scouting wife” to Roger, and Dorcas Ministries volunteer (35 years). Ann enjoyed Summer Cayuga Lake family stays at her parents’ cottage, family road trips, and travels to Korea, Alaska, Japan, and across the United States, chasing her two career military sons and their families. Ann blessed us all with her smile, her love, and her faithfulness … “She is clothed with strength and dignity … She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (Proverbs 31:25-26).

She was a beloved wife to Roger, and revered mother to Kirk (Susan) of O’Fallon, IL and Kyle (Tricia) of West End, NC, as well as a loving grandmother to Trevor (Desarae) of Portage, MI; Reagan of New York City; Tatum of Atlanta, GA, and Kacy of Raleigh, NC … and great-grandmother to Cooper. Ann is survived also by younger sister Carol (Vero Beach, FL) and brother-in-law Dale (Kathi) Lear (Kennebunk, ME), and ten nieces and nephews.

The Lear family extends our deep and continuing gratitude to the staff and caregivers of Glenaire Continuing Care Retirement Community in Cary, who were vital to Ann’s contentment over 14 years there, including more than four years in assisted living and memory care.

Roger invites family and friends to a Celebration of Life at Glenaire’s 4000 Auditorium, at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 30th, 2025 (4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary).

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you might instead consider gifts that reflect the centers of Ann’s earthly life, including the Glenaire Endowment [https://nccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=15858], White Plains United Methodist Church [https://wpumc.com/resources/online-giving/], or Dorcas Ministries [https://dorcasnc.org/donate/].