Ann Sara Bradbury

Ann (Epstein) Bradbury died peacefully at home in Galesville, Md. on November 10, 2022 with her loving husband, Miles Bradbury, by her side. She had enjoyed recent visits with her three children -- Marc Masnik, Alexis Wachtel and Melissa Pasanen -- and received indispensable support from her caregiver, Holly Clark.

Ann Sara Epstein was born in Brooklyn on June 17, 1936 to Lillian (Wishy) and Arthur Epstein. An only child, Ann grew up in Queens and graduated from Skidmore College. She spent her junior year in Paris, which seeded an enduring love of the French language and of Europe. Ann started her family in London, England where she and then-husband Ron Masnik lived for more than a decade before returning with their three children to the United States at the end of 1976.

In London, Ann became an active volunteer with Books for Our Children, starting a lifelong commitment to literacy, which she later codified by earning her Master’s in Library Science at the University of Washington. Throughout her career as a librarian, Ann served students from elementary age to college. She also volunteered in many capacities, including, most recently, helping to organize the library collection of Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community of Greater Washington.

Over her long career, she was especially proud of authoring, “The Jewish Woman: An Annotated Selected Bibliography, 1986 - 1993,” published by Biblio Press in 1996. While working as the University of Maryland College Park Libraries’ diversity coordinator, she was awarded the John W. King Staff Disability Achievement Award for promoting a better understanding of diversity through programs she developed.

Ann loved traveling, attending concerts and eating out with her husband, Miles. She also enjoyed reading, classical and jazz music, long walks, her Jewish community, participating in positive civic action, dancing and cooking. Through her early 80s, she remained open to new experiences, talking with new people and trying new recipes.

Ann is survived by her husband and their dog, Sammy; her three children and their spouses, Kathy Masnik, Seth Wachtel and Mark Pasanen; seven grandchildren: Owen and Tucker Masnik; Alex and Nikko Pasanen; Clio, Oliver and Eliot Wachtel; and Maia Wachtel, who she called her “ready-made granddaughter.” She also leaves behind dear family and friends including beloved first cousin Judi Epstein and her “French sister,” Francine Saltoun. All will remember Ann for the deep, long-lasting connections she built with kindred spirits, her curious mind, and her determined and energetic spirit.

A celebration service of Ann's life will be led by Rabbi David Shneyer of Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane Bethesda, MD on Sunday, December 4 at 4 p.m. with reception to follow.

For those who would like to honor Ann’s memory, please consider a donation to HIAS, a nonprofit that draws on Jewish values and history to provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.