Ann V. Dick passed away on November 1, 2015 after a long bout with Alzheimer's. Ann died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. She kept her warmth, charm, grace and sense of humor until the end.
Ann was born September 5, 1927 in Brussels, Belgium to James and Mary Volkmann. She spent her early years primarily in Belgium and Switzerland. As the threat of war grew, Ann and her family moved to the Boston area. Surrounded by a large family she enjoyed her upbringing in New England. She spent her summers in the Boston Area. Summers were spent in Castine, Maine, and she and her extended family were fortunate enough to visit Castine to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ann's wedding to Gale Dick.
Ann attended Putney School in Vermont and then moved out west to attend Reed College in Portland, Oregon. She graduated with a dual degree in Chemistry and Botany in 1950 and returned to Putney to teach. While at Reed, Ann met Gale Dick. They shared a love of the outdoors and music and began a 60+ year relationship. Their courtship lasted for several years while they both pursued education and work endeavors. In 1956 they were married and moved to Ithaca, NY and then on to Urbana, Illinois.
Ann and Gale moved to Salt Lake City in 1959. Ann loved the mountains of Utah and Wyoming, the deserts and rivers of Southern Utah and the growing cultural life of Salt Lake City. The University of Utah provided a great social life and together Ann and Gale built a wonderful group of friends. Her love of teaching kept calling and so Ann earned a degree in teaching from Westminster College and then a Master's Degree in Plant Ecology from the University of Utah. In 1973 she joined the faculty at Rowland Hall St. Marks School in Salt Lake City teaching 4th and 5th Grade Math and Science. She loved working with her students and from all accounts they loved her as well. Ann taught at RHSM for 23 years.
Throughout her life Ann enjoyed the outdoors in many ways. She was a nationally ranked ski racer during her time at Putney and Reed College. The culmination of her ski career came when she was invited to the team trials for the 1948 US Winter Olympic Team. Ann and Gale always enjoyed hiking, skiing, camping and river trips and loved to share those experiences with their children and friends from all over the world.
After Ann retired from teaching she spent her time traveling the world, including memorable trips to Antarctica, retracing the Lewis and Clark trail in a camper van, a cruise of the Greek Islands with family and friends, and several trips to view solar eclipses in Mexico and Europe. She and Gale also loved traveling to visit kids and grandkids in Seattle and New York City.
Ann and Gale's house was a center of activity for an incredible group of friends and the site of innumerable dinner parties, musical get-togethers and fund raising events for many causes. Ann spent many hours volunteering her time with organizations such as Save Our Canyons, Friends of the Great Salt Lake and The Guadeloupe Center. She was a passionate tennis player, hiker, birdwatcher and longtime season ticket holder to the Utah Symphony and Opera.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings (Denny Volkmann, Gordon Volkmann and Ruth Volkmann) and her husband of 58 years, Gale Dick. She is survived by her sister Betty Lou and by her 3 children, Tim Dick (Jane), Robin Berg (Svenn) and Steve (Karen), 7 grandchildren (Scott (Glena), Brian, Kris, Jamie, Alexander, Matthew and Wesley) and two Great Grandchildren (Hazel and Nolan).
The family would like to thank the wonderful and devoted caretakers from Home Instead as well as Adagio Hospice for providing a loving and peaceful environment for Ann to spend the last months of her life. You provided peace of mind not only for Ann but for her family as well- we will be forever grateful.
A Memorial for Ann will be held on Saturday, November 14 at the Art Barn Finch Lane Gallery at 54 Finch Lane in Salt Lake City. There will be a tribute to Ann beginning at 1 followed by an open house.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Save Our Canyons, Friends of the Great Salt Lake, Reed College, Putney School in Vermont or the charity of your choice.
