In Memoriam
Ann Denise Christy
1962 – 2025
On Friday, October 3rd, Dr. Ann Christy passed away after a bravely fought battle with cancer. As her obituary reads, “Ann cherished her family and her teaching career. She was a brilliant, beloved professor and Associate Dean and Director for Academic Programs; Professor of Engineering Education at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.” Click HERE to read the full obituary.
In addition to being a talented educator and beloved wife and mother, Ann was a devoted sister, co-facilitating her sister Susan’s Next Chapter Book Club for nearly 15 years. As her co-facilitator for the past 9 years, I had the honor and delight of becoming her friend.
Each week, we all looked forward to Ann’s arrival at book club. She would bid us her traditional, “Greetings!” and often had photos to share of her darling grandsons, a visit to a masted sailing ship, train museum, or antique farm equipment at the Wayne County Fair, and often, of her cat Thor, beloved by Susan.
Ann connected easily with each book club member. Her gentle and curious nature helped members to open up about their lives and interests. After book club meetings, while Susan perused the stacks at Barnes & Noble, Ann and I would often stay in the café and chat. We shared a deep interest in spiritual growth and enjoyed a bit of “shorthand” as fellow Enneagram 9’s.
On Saturday, October 11th, our book club gathered privately to remember Ann. Co-facilitators Eleanor and Nicole engaged the members in art therapy, and together, we talked about some of our favorite things about Ann.
Nate shared, “She was a loving mother and grandmother and sister. And an expert Lego builder.”
Julian said she was a “good person.”
Christina said Ann was a “loving person.”
Susan reminded us that Ann was also pretty. We agreed that she was a beautiful person on the inside and out.
Both Ali and Christina shared that they loved Ann, and again, we all agreed that Ann was very lovable.
When asked about a favorite memory of Ann, Ali said, “She was a good big sister.”
I recalled the time Ann dressed in full Jedi robes for book club on May the 4th, and Morag reminded us of how she brought in horse figurines when we were reading Misty of Chincoteague.
Nate appreciated Ann “bringing girls scout cookies and sharing her life with us.”
Julian said, “She would always say ‘Hi’ to me.”
Nicole shared that she was fond of Ann’s hats, and we all talked about the different hats Ann would wear to book club.
It is safe to say that each of us is grateful for the opportunity we had to know Ann. As we continue to gather for book club meetings on Saturday mornings, we will continue to miss her, and to remember her gentle nature, curious mind, kind heart, love of books, and love for her sister Susan.
Ace! student Meera Nadathur graduated in December of 2023 with her Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife degree from The Ohio State University.