Ann Tracy

Bangor, Maine - Ann Blaisdell Tracy, died on December 28, 2025, in Bangor, Maine, just a few days short of her 85th birthday. During the five years prior to her death, Ann suffered from dementia, which gradually robbed her - and the rest of the world - of the insight, wit, and humor for which Ann was known.

The daughter of William and Brenna Tracy of Charleston, Maine, Ann was educated in Maine at Higgins Classical Institute, where her father was headmaster, and at Colby College. She did graduate work at Brown University and was awarded a doctorate in english literature by the University of Toronto. Until her retirement in 2001, Ann was professor at the State University of New York, Plattsburgh. Many students who attended her classes still refer to "Dr. Tracy" as their "best teacher ever." The university soon recognized Ann's extraordinary teaching abilities and named her Distinguished Teaching Professor, the first woman to be so recognized. In addition to teaching, Ann loved to write. She authored novels, works of nonfiction, and a play.

As an Episcopalian, Ann served her parish as Senior Warden and lay preacher but was quite unconventional in her compassion for people and animals of all stripes - convicts and skunks as well as poets and bunnies. She housed homeless students who overstayed their welcome, fed skunks in her yard even after being arrested for doing so, and continued to employ a handyman even after he was convicted of burglarizing her home.

Ann leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Michelle Tracy of Sherwood Park, Alberta; her son, Nicholas Amani of Buffalo, New York; her grandson, Nicholas Hicks II; two stepgrandchildren, Alexis and Jordan Parker; three honorary grandchildren, River, Carson, and Earl Hoffmann; nine godchildren; and a circle of loving friends.

A memorial service in Plattsburgh, New York, and interment of Ann's ashes in Baptist Cemetery, Charleston, Maine, will take place in Spring 2026 on dates to be determined. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.