Ann Lilly

Ann Lee Lilly, born in Beckley, West Virginia, on March 8, 1930, died peacefully on June 4, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. A woman of uncommon wisdom, Ann stitched together a life full of purpose, warmth, and compassion—always leaving things better than she found them.

After graduating from West Virginia University, Ann accepted a teaching position at Marion-Franklin High School in Columbus. She rented a house on Beck Street in the early days of the German Village restoration movement, unknowingly landing across from a vacant lot that, within days, would become the site of a carnival. She spent the first months of her Columbus life urging her family not to visit, for fear they’d take her back to West Virginia if they saw the camp of carnies she was now calling neighbors.

Instead, Ann met the moment—and made a life.

Encouraged to apply for a position at The Ohio State University, her experience as a swimming coach was an unexpected match for the needs of the Synchronized Swimming Team. That was her first toe-dip into becoming a Buckeye, leading to decades of meaningful contributions, legendary tailgates, and a Master of Arts degree. Her organizational strengths and calm authority led to her being recruited as stage manager for the very first dance performance in Mershon Auditorium in 1960. Ann continued providing occasional support until the Dance Department was formalized in 1968, when she was appointed assistant to the founding chair, Helen Alkire.

For nearly two decades, Ann helped orchestrate the rise of what became one of the premier academic dance programs in the country—not from the spotlight, but from the wings, where she made everything run smoother and everyone feel steadier. She later served as Assistant Dean of Curriculum and Advising in the former College of the Arts, helping students navigate their way through OSU. Ann had a way of gently pointing out true north that felt like more like remembering than being told.

Two former deans began their tributes this week with the same sentence: “Most of all, I loved her laugh.” That may say more than any title—or tribute—ever could.

While Ann’s professional world flourished, she also became a steward of German Village’s restoration and preservation movement. After grumbling about the German Village Commission during the course of rehabbing her house, she was told: “Well, that means you need to be part of the solution.” So, she joined the Commission, eventually serving as its long-time Chair. She is remembered for greeting each applicant with a gracious, “Good evening. Thank you so much for joining us.” And while not every applicant left with a “yes,” the great majority left with respect for the process.

Ann’s leadership extended beyond policy into placemaking. She was instrumental in creating the Grace Highfield Garden in Schiller Park and quietly funded the flower beds at the park entrance and the plantings around the Umbrella Girl fountain. Ann helped establish the nonprofit status of Friends of Schiller Park and led the organization through important milestones as its President. Her leadership style was quiet but unmistakable. The German Village Society honored her with the Frank Fetch Award, the Caretakers of a Legacy President’s Award, and, in 2024, recognized her as a German Village Legend. The awards that seemed to tickle her most were the record-breaking run of “Best in Show” from the Garten Club for her stunning window boxes.

In retirement, Ann divided her time between Columbus and a home in Costa Rica, where she built a chosen family rooted in friendship and joy. Every life well lived should contain a tropical chapter! She cherished the gardens, the ocean, the mangoes—and the wide net of relationships she wove there. Her Costa Rican friends became family, and many of them now grieve her with the same gratitude and affection felt here.

Ann was predeceased by her beloved brother, Nat Lilly, last year. She leaves behind no immediate family, but she is survived by many —former students, dance faculty, a treasured cousin by marriage, preservationists, neighbors, gardeners, and Costa Rican almas gemela. All beneficiaries of her generosity of spirit.

If you wish to make a gesture in Ann’s memory, consider a gift to the Ann Lee Lilly Fund at the Columbus Foundation—or offer a bouquet of lilies to someone who might not expect the kindness, but would cherish it. She would have smiled at the thought of lilies changing hands, and at good causes growing stronger in her name. The Columbus Foundation, 1234 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205 or www.columbusfoundation.org

Ann made it (perfectly) clear she didn’t want a service—but she didn’t say anything about a room full of friends remembering her with affection, glasses in hand. Ann's friends will be organizing an informal reception in her honor and will be sure to spread the word once the time and place are set.