White River Jct., VT - Ann Marie Grobe, 55, died on Saturday, July 21, 2012, after bravely enduring neuroendocrine cancer for the past 16 months of her life. Without blame or complaint, Ann passed on to the next phase of her journey, at home, in the loving surroundings of her family and friends.
Ann was born at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon NH, on September 24, 1956, to Bernard and Naomi (Harlow) Gibson. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1974, and from Champlain College in Burlington, VT in 1976 with a degree in the executive secretarial program. While growing up on Maple Street in Lebanon, Ann enjoyed hours of neighborhood games and gatherings. When not at play, she could be spotted delivering the afternoon Valley News to neighbors' doorsteps. At her father's insistence, the route lasted through Ann's 9th grade year, and, though often humbling, left her with a strong-willed sense of managing a bicycle loaded with papers, as well as managing money and people. Later on in high school, Ann discovered a more creative outlet on the basketball court, where her patented corner set shots often made sweet swishing sounds.
After college Ann began working at the law office of Decato and Cirone in Lebanon, and after a brief move to Derry, NH, returned to the Upper Valley for good, taking courses through the University of New Hampshire School for Lifelong Learning and working for several satisfying years as a paralegal for AMCA International in Hanover. When the company relocated to Charlotte, NC, in the early 90s, Ann chose to stay home and take on the most important calling of her life: raising her three daughters. During these years Ann was in her element—reading aloud, playing board games, spending a family day at the beach, and just being a mom. She especially loved planning and spending time on family vacations, often spent in the White Mountains and on the Maine seacoast. When she had time to herself, she enjoyed watching movies and reading. At the Hartford Village library, Ann was known simply by her library card number. When youngest daughter, Stephanie, headed off to kindergarten at the Ottauquechee School, Ann tagged along, first as a substitute teacher and eventually as a full-time paraprofessional working primarily with special-needs children. She loved her work and made lasting bonds with the students, staff members, and teachers of this dedicated community.
Ann is survived by her husband, Jon Grobe, to whom she was married on August 5, 1989; her three daughters: Jennifer, Mallory, and Stephanie Grobe of White River Jct.; her mother Naomi Gibson of Lebanon; her older brother, Tim Gibson of Portland, ME; her younger sister Sue Basso of Enfield; two aunts: Doris Edson and Margaret Harlow; along with many relatives. Her father Bernard Gibson, died in 2000.
Visiting hours will be held at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. from 6-8PM on Tuesday July 24th. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday July 25th at 1PM.