Anne Virginia Church, of Hyde Park, N.Y., died on December 27, 2025. She was 81.

Born in Quincy, Mass., to Virginia and Richard Carlisle on September 10, 1944, Anne, who never stopped rooting for the Boston Red Sox, nonetheless spent most of her life in the Hudson Valley, where she and her beloved husband, Rodney Church, raised their family.  She dedicated her 30-year career to caring for others as a Public Health Nurse in Dutchess County.

Anne is survived by her husband, Rodney; her daughters, Patty (Paul) Johnson of Salt Point, N.Y., and Jen (Angelo) Biasi of Naples, Fla.; grandchildren, Kirsten (Andrew) Becker, David Johnson, AJ Biasi and Lila Biasi; and great-grandson, Simon Becker. Sisters Susan and Kate survive her; Anne was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Alan Carlisle.

Anne got to know the Hudson Valley, particularly Dutchess County, intimately over more than 30 years as a visiting nurse, caring for patients on a largely rural route that put tens of thousands of miles on a succession of vehicles. She loved connecting with families, commiserated with new mothers, oversaw immunization clinics, at times faced down a few rambunctious cows and sheepdogs, and ultimately loved her lifelong career.

Alas, Dutchess County was not her first stop. Upon graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1966, Anne married her lifelong sweetheart, Rodney Church, and they immediately embarked on a journey that would take them across the American South for Rod's military service. The U.S. Air Force brought the newlyweds to San Antonio, TX, Biloxi, MS (Welcome, Patty!), and finally Patrick Air Force Base on Florida's Space Coast (Welcome, Jenny!).

Now, if Anne could tell her own story, it might go something like this:

Anne Carlisle Church was born in the "shadow of Fenway" to her greatest fans and lifelong inspirations, Mum and Pop (Virginia and Richard Carlisle). From a young age, her family lovingly called her "Anno", due to the many, many times little Anne was told "no".

She was the luckiest girl, growing up as big sis to Alan (who she fiercely loved and equally tormented); Susan (whose brilliant, strong, and introspective self she'd champion without measure); and Kate (who, though 17 years younger, would become her best friend). She enjoyed a close relationship with her Swedish Nana, Betty Viner, from whom she derived her appreciation of 1) good coffee; 2) driving fast; and 3) "mundels" (almond pastry).

Anne had an exceptional time in high school, where she got to be the "Y" in the "Quincy" formation at basketball games with what would become some of her lifelong friends. Fun fact: She got to take English class from the same teacher that had introduced her parents long ago.

One summer at UMass, Anne decided to table her organic chemistry studying for the night and have some fun. At a local dive called The Drake, a tall blond fraternity brother felt compelled to buy a beer for this petite redheaded spitfire. And that's how love starts, kids... Speaking of kids, Anne and Rod had two. Their daughters, Patty and Jenny (Anne never called them anything different), will desperately miss and love their beautiful mom forever.

In retirement, Anne and Rod traveled along the East Coast and to their favorite place, Quebec City; tirelessly worked as volunteers for Meals on Wheels; remained active in their church; and became well-known in the community (not least for the enormous inflatable dragon that graced their lawn every Halloween). Rod promises to carry on their sweet legacy.

Anne was thrilled to welcome grandchildren and sons-in-law to the family, and her childhood nickname was easily anagrammed to "Nona" with the arrival of Kirsten, David, AJ, and Lila. Just two months before her passing, her first great-grandchild Simon came into the world, for whom a lifetime of stories about Nona/Anno await…

Memorial services will begin at 11 AM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the First Congregational UCC, 269 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie 12601.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Meals on Wheels of Greater Hyde Park, https://mealsonwheelsofhp.org/support-us/, where Anne and Rod volunteered in retirement, or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Research https://secure2.convio.net/mskcc/site/Donation.

________________

Don't blame us if we ever doubt you

You know we couldn't live without you

Red Sox, you are the only, only, only

~ Dropkick Murphys, from "Tessie"

Love gives naught but itself

and takes naught but from itself.

Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;

For love is sufficient unto love.

~ Kahlil Gibran, from "The Prophet"

Love you more.

~ Anne Virginia Carlisle Church, the sign-off from all of her beloved messages