Anngenette Groton Tyler

Anngenette “Anngie” Groton Tyler passed away peacefully Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at the age of 99 surrounded by her children. She was born on June 30, 1926, in Providence, RI to Rev. John M. and Anngenette (Cottrell) Groton. She grew up in New Bedford, MA, Philadelphia, PA, and Westerly, RI, the only girl among three brothers, all of whom she survived: John M. Groton, Jr. of Stonington, CT, Dr. William M. Groton of Sherborne, MA, and Calvert C. Groton of Providence, RI.

Growing up among three brothers, athletics became a major part of her life. “I grew up with a ball, not a doll”, she would say. She attended the Emma Willard School (1944) and Wells College (1948) where she excelled athletically in field hockey, basketball, tennis, and lacrosse. Anngie was an avid tennis player well into her 80’s, playing at The Country Club of Brookline and at the Weekapaug Tennis Club in Rhode Island. Even in her 90’s she could be seen taking brisk 3-mile walks, playing ping-pong, and outshooting her grandchildren on the basketball court.

Anngie chose teaching as her vocation and worked at the Rivers School, then in Brookline, MA, and at the Lincoln School in Winchester, MA, while concurrently earning her master’s in education at Boston University (1954).

In 1956, Anngie married the love of her life and best friend, William “Bill” Tyler, who passed away in April 2021 after 65 years of marriage. She is survived by their five children: Anngie Stanfield (James Stanfield) of Mystic, CT, Maggie Tyler Rubenstein (Lee Rubenstein) of Wayland, MA, Roger B. Tyler II (Vail Cart) of Essex MA, Susan Monahan (Christian Jacqs) of Amesbury, MA and William B. Tyler, Jr. (Jane Martin) of Hallandale, FL as well as 12 grandchildren; Owen Stanfield, Samuel, Chloe, and Emma Rubenstein, Blakely and Anna Tyler, Jamie, Erin, and Katie Monahan, and Jacob, Olivia, and Nathaniel Tyler; and four great-grandchildren; Emie, Izzy, Brooks, and Winslow. Anngie was devoted to her family and was the much loved “Grammy” to her grandchildren in whose lives she was actively involved.

Born into a family of ministers, Anngie’s faith was always important to her, and she was actively involved in church leadership and outreach for many years. She served as Senior Warden at St. Peter’s Church in Weston, MA. She was the president of the Weekapaug Chapel in Rhode Island and spearheaded many improvements to the chapel building, lead services there, and encouraged outreach into the Westerly community. In addition, she was a long-term member and president of the Church Home Society, the charitable arm of the Episcopal Church in the Boston area. In this capacity she personally visited and built relationships with many organizations meeting the needs of the underserved youth in the Boston area. Anngie also became the official “Chaplain” of the 1255th Combat Battalion, in which Bill served in World War II, and she spoke and offered prayers at the yearly reunions.

Anngie loved people and was known for her many acts of kindness. She would visit with many of her husband, Bill’s, elderly clients, often sitting at their bedsides holding their hands for long hours when they were ill and would often arrange funeral services for them. She had a special gift for which she was well-known, and that was the writing of encouraging “doggerels”. She would arrive at any special event involving her friends or family members, with a personally written poem and song to encourage, celebrate, and honor a person’s anniversary, birthday, retirement, or accomplishment.

Anngie and Bill made their home in Weston, MA, where they raised their five children and lived for over 40 years. In 2005 they moved to Lasell Village in Newton. Our family is so grateful for all the love and care showered upon her in her final years by the wonderful people at the Lasell Studios. A memorial service will be held this summer at the Weekapaug Chapel