Anne Simpson Miller Koch passed away at her home in New Harbor May 21. She was born in Waterville June 8, 1916 and was the daughter of George and Annie Simpson.
She matriculated at Coburn Classical Institute and graduated from Colby College in 1939. She resided in New Jersey for 15 years and was a women’s apparel buyer for Associated Dry Goods in Newark. In 1952 Anne married Joe Miller in Germantown, Penn. In 1957 Anne and Joe moved to Christiansted, St. Croix, VI. She was active in her church, concert society, theater groups, the hospital, yacht club and tennis club. She served on the Board of Directors of many. Two years after Joe’s death in 1976, Anne returned to Maine to a small white house in New Harbor near the ocean. After her return to Maine, Anne met and married Vincent Koch at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle. They lived at his apple orchard in Walpole until Vincent’s death in 1981.
Anne engaged in life fully to the day she died, dining out, attending the theater, and keeping current with the news of the day. Her white VW Beetle was well known in the community. Her interests included music, theater, gardens, and being the guardian angel to the small animals in her world. An avid birder, there were no circumstances that would prevent Anne from feeding her birds daily. Anne loved picnics, especially those including lobsters.
While having no children of her own, Anne was a wonderful and attentive friend to many near and far. Anne shared generously with charities too numerous to mention. She volunteered at Miles Memorial Hospital until she was 90.
Anne is survived by stepdaughter, Lucille Koch Craib and husband Roderick (Rory) of Walpole and their daughter, Dorothy Anne Craib of Burlington, Vt.; stepson, Frank Koch and wife Cynthia of Walpole; daughter, Barbara Fairfield of West Bath; and several nieces and nephews from her earlier marriage live throughout the U.S.
Services 11 a.m., Sat., May 29 at St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle.
Donations in her memory may be made to CHIP, Inc. (Community Housing Improvement Project), P.O. Box 6, New Harbor, ME 04554 or St. Patrick’s Church Permanent Building Fund, P.O. Box 598, Newcastle, ME 04553 or the charity of your choice.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
