Anne York Wachsman

She was born in Greenwich Hospital on October 14, 1932. She grew up in Riverside by the water which remained an important part of her life. Sailing and horseback riding were her youthful passions and her love of birds and wildlife throughout her life became a source of solace in later years.

As a child, she was inspired to train the neighborhood dogs. She raised homing pigeons in her back yard after reading the stories of children in the English Lake District in Arthur Ransome’s book, Pigeon Post, which remained a favorite even as an adult.

She graduated from Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school in Pennsylvania, in 1950. The happy memories at the school and its Quaker philosophy become strong influences in her life.

She studied Classics at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and transferred to Barnard College in New York City, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957.

Anne had three passions in life: music, animals and theater. She loved classical and folk music and sang for many years in her church choir. She became a professional animal handler, training animals for stage and screen, including Broadway, television and the Metropolitan Opera. She worked for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the film and theater director Otto Preminger and eventually became secretary to Lucy Kroll, a theatrical and literary agent in New York.

While raising her family, she continued to work in theater as director and stage manager for productions including the opening ceremonies for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York; many years with the Troopers Light Opera Company in Norwalk, Connecticut; and for the Noye's Fludde miracle plays at First Congregational Church in Old Greenwich, Connecticut.

Beyond her professional successes, she considered her proudest achievements to be her children and grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her devoted husband, Alvin Leopold Wachsman; her father, Carroll York Belknap; her mother Margaret George Belknap; her brother, John Henry “Jack” Belknap; and two grandsons, Jason Arnold and Kristofer Arnold.

She is survived by her children, Gillian (Henri) Hollenberg, Lissa (Arnie) Arnold and Chang Ludaescher; three stepchildren; eight grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10:00am at the First Congregational Church, Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Connecticut. Interment immediately to follow at the church.

Live stream available: https://www.youtube.com/live/VC8mR-7X230?is=cNqjeDfbqHcAMqVG

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to First Congregational Church, Anne’s spiritual home. For donations text FCCOG donations to 73256 or use this link: https://secure.accessacs.com/access/onlinegiving/managegiving.aspx?act=gn

"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all." -Cecil Frances Alexander