As the first born to Katharine and Samuel F. (Kitty and Sam) Ravenel, Ann spent most of her life in Greensboro, a town she truly loved. She grew up during the depression, in a home closest to the rail station where strangers often stopped nightly seeking to work for food. As a child she would often ride with her father, a pediatrician, on his nightly rounds making house calls, thus getting to spend time with him.
After attending Aycock Elementary, and Ms. Rypins’ School for her secondary education, Ann enrolled at Women’s College (now UNCG) at the age of 16, graduating with a B.A. in English. During her years commuting to college classes, her parents hosted over 2,000 soldiers in the family home during the ORD/WWII years. After college, in 1949, Ann married Everett Benjamin Saslow of Greensboro, who had served in the U.S. Army in Japan during WWII. When Everett was called back into service during the Korean War, Ann joined Everett in Louisville Kentucky, and shortly thereafter in Germany with their infant son, Rett.
In the early 1960’s, Ann returned to the workforce as a kindergarten/pre-school teacher at First Presbyterian, Holy Trinity, and St. Francis, influencing the early learning of many young children in town. After many years as a teacher, Ann joined her husband working at the office of the family business. Meanwhile, the teacher and counselor in Ann lived on, as she volunteer tutored at various public schools, as well as with the Montagnard refugee program through Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, and at Newcomer’s School. Ann began providing welcoming services and support for Montagnard refugees in the early 2000’s, beginning with meeting a family at the airport when they first arrived from Vietnam. Her involvement with the Montagnard community and its remarkable people brought Ann joy, and the close relationships she made with them over the years held a very special place in her heart.
Ann was predeceased by Everett, her husband of 63 years, her parents, and her sister, Kit Ravenel. Ann is survived by brother Samuel DuBose Ravenel (Susan); three children: Everett Benjamin Saslow, Jr. (Kathryn Lochra), Elizabeth Ravenel Saslow (Charles Howland) and John Barnet Saslow (Virginia); six grandchildren: Loch Saslow (Jacki), Theo Saslow (Tanya), Carolina Howland, Baird Howland, Baker Saslow and Everett Saslow; three great grandchildren: Benjamin Saslow, Amelia Saslow, and Josephine Neplioueva-Saslow; and many nieces and nephews.
Ann will be remembered by many for her love of tennis, adventurous travels, UNC basketball, and above all her lifelong love for her family, for whom she unfailingly left many handwritten notes and instructions.
The family expresses heartfelt appreciation for the magnificent companions/caregivers who cared for Ann in her home over the past two+ years. The staff of AuthoraCare have also been an incredible source of support and kindness.
Funeral services will be on May 20th at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Parish Hall at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
