Ann Prosswimmer Pratt, 83, of Essex, Connecticut, passed away on March 8, 2017 after a valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She is survived by her loving husband Robert; her sister, Nancy Conroy; her brother, R. Alan Prosswimmer;
her daughters, Cynthia and Carrie; her grandchildren, Kwena and Tumi; and several nieces and nephews.
Born to Rudolph and Emma Prosswimmer, she was raised in Rockville Center, N.Y. and attended high school at the Ashley Hall School in Charleston, S.C. In 1955, she graduated from Mount Holyoke College, where she majored in art history and was a member of the water ballet team. She later studied occupational therapy at Northeastern University.
Ann and Bob Pratt started their married life in Providence, R.I. and lived for extended periods in Ann Arbor, Mich., Greenwich, Conn., Louisville, Ky., Simsbury, Conn., and Rye, before they settled in Essex. In each location, Mrs. Pratt was an active supporter of the arts, including The Louisville School of Art and The Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Always generous with her time, she volunteered formally at a number of organizations, including the McLean Home in Simsbury, and, for several years, the 30th Twig” of United Hospital in Port Chester.
A giving and generous spirit, her greatest happiness was supporting and serving others. Her passion for life was expressed in a playful sense of humor, a deep appreciation of art and literature, a love of travel, and a good glass of wine. Her husband and family were the center of her life.
She raised two adventurous daughters whose lives led them overseas, doted on her grandchildren, and was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt. For her extended family, she hosted holiday dinners, graduation parties, wedding showers, as well as benefits and dinner parties, all with a seemingly effortless grace and ease.
“Ann’s joy for life was contagious,” said her family, “and she planted seeds of love wherever she went.”
Interment will be held Saturday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island, followed by a memorial service to celebrate her life.
Donations in her memory may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. To share a memory of Ann Pratt or send a condolence to her family, visit www.rwwfh.com.
