Annette Rice Dexter, 95, passed away in Canterbury NH after a brief illness, on February 15, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.

Anne was the first-born of parents, Harold H. and Ruth P. Rice, of Watertown MA. She is predeceased by her sister, Virginia R. Kahn, of Claremont NH and Peabody MA, and her brother, Harold Hamilton Rice, Jr. of Claremont, and survived by her brother, Kenneth H. Rice of Orono ME.

She attended Vesper George School of Art and Boston Clerical School, and later graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business School. She worked for three years in Boston for Liberty Mutual Insurance before her marriage on June 24, 1939. Although she lived most of her adult life in the Claremont NH area, she had resided in Concord and Canterbury since 2001.

She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Porter Orel Dexter, O.D. of Claremont, NH, and survived by her three children, William R. Dexter and his wife, Patricia, of Claremont; Porter O. Dexter, Jr. of Charlestown; and Orelee K. Perrault and husband, Donald, of Rye. She also leaves behind grandchildren Monica Dexter of Claremont; Rebecca Pickul and husband, Robert, of Claremont; Kimberly Dumont of Atlanta GA; Alan Dexter of Cornish NH; and Katherine Dickinson and husband, Andrew, of Claremont; and four great grandchildren – Brooke, Riley, Abigail and Ashton.

Anne was a Charter Member of the Claremont Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and received the Diamond Certificate for sixty years of service. She was also a member of the Ladies Union Aid Society, The Auxiliary of The Optometric Association of NH, and the South Parish Church of Charlestown NH. As a homemaker and mother, she volunteered her time and secretarial skills to many charitable causes and local organizations, and enjoyed supporting her children's extracurricular activities.

During the sixties, Anne and Porter could often be found on Lake Sunapee in the cabin cruiser they had built in the back yard on Broad Street. By the mid-seventies, they had dropped anchor on Lake Winnipesaukee, where they shared more great times with friends and family, during the following decade. And ever present, was music, which was woven into the fabric of their forty-two years together. Anne never tired of listening to the music played by Porter and the many talented musicians in the area.

In later years, after her children were grown, Anne returned to her art, studying with Richard Basso and more recently with Aidron Duckworth (1920-2001) of Plainfield NH.

She often exhibited locally and regionally, as well as teaching art within her circle of friends. In her later life, it was her family, friendships and vibrant connection to the art community that fulfilled her until her memory began to fail in her nineties.

Anne, aka “Rune, Abby and Annie”, will also undoubtedly be remembered for her love of animals. It was her parents who instilled this compassion, and she in turn passed it on to her family. Shortly after her move to Concord in 2001, she adopted a special needs cat named Lt. Dan (Danny). The two of them made many friends in subsequent years, and were inseparable until her death.

A Celebration of Anne Dexter’s Life and Retrospective of her Art, will be held June 12th, from 1-4:00 pm, at The Common Man Inn + Restaurant in Claremont NH. Family and friends are invited to share the day, remembrances and artwork. A brief graveside service will be held at 11:00 am, at the West Claremont Burying Ground (Union Cemetery) on Old Church Road, Sect #9, Lot D-South.