Anne W. Alster, 81 of Lakewood Ranch, FL formerly of Easton, PA died Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at home. Born March 29, 1939 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Elizabeth (Stevens) and Nathan B. Williams, Jr. She was a 1957 graduate of Moravian Academy and received her bachelor’s degree from Randolph Macon Women’s College. She had been employed by the C.I.A from 1961 to 1966 and 1980. She was a 48-year life member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC and Sarasota, FL and a docent at their headquarters in DC. Anne was also a 20-year member of the P.E.O. (national women’s organization for continuing education for women), a member of the Fairfax Co., VA Republican Party from 1982 -2000 and a volunteer at Grace Episcopal Day School from 1973 to 1979.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years: Lawrence J. Alster and her son : Jonathan S. Alster. Services are private. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Susan Ellis
June 20, 2020 at 10:42 am
Anne was a shining member of our PEO group. I am shocked and saddened to hear of her passing.
My condolences to her Husband and family.
Susan Ellis
Nancy Maher
June 20, 2020 at 11:04 am
My deepest condolences to you Larry and your son Jonathan. I am so sorry to hear about losing our dear Anne. May you find peace in the memories of all your good times together.
Nancy Maher
Martine Moscovita
June 20, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Anne was in our Tuesday Bridge Group and Luncheons. I’m absolute shock she passed away! She looked fabulous in March at bridge. My Deepest Condolences to her Husband and Son. We will miss her so much!
Martine Moscovita
colette knox
June 20, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Very sad news. Anne and I met as bridge player. She was such a kind and thoughtful person. She will be miss.
My sympathies to her Family and Friends.
Barbara Smith
June 20, 2020 at 2:51 pm
We will all miss Anne so much. I remember so many stories Anne told that started with, “Well, you know, Mother would say . . . ” She was truly a lady.
Larry and Jonathan, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
vincent golden
June 20, 2020 at 3:19 pm
I am so sorry to hear about Anne. Larry, I always respected you for speaking so highly of your lovely wife, Anne. I know she was highly accomplished and a wonderful person. My deepest sympathy is extended to all of the family.
Vince
Patricia R Peters
June 20, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Anne was such an upbeat person that it’s shocking to hear of her passing and I can only express sincere sympathy to her Family. I will remember us sharing experiences at Moravian Prep and ABE.
Anna Lee Williams
June 20, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Anne greeted me upon my first visit to Sara DeSoto Chapter DAR and immediately it was like an old friendship. I adored her completely. We shared connections in Washington, DC and had great talks about NSDAR headquarters at luncheons in and out of DAR. I am heart broken and miss her already. I spoke to her twice during this COVID19 pandemic to check-in and understood all was well. I am in shock and so sad about her passing. Anne was a good person in every sense of the word – she had a smile for all and a servants heart. Her passing is our world’s loss. God gained an angel.
Joy Busler
June 20, 2020 at 4:07 pm
My heartfelt condolences go out to Larry on the death of his beloved wife and Jonathan’s mother. Anne was always an upbeat, gracious, helpful, friendly person.She always had something apropos to the occasion to add to the conversation. I remember fondly our bridge games and how willing she always was to sub for me when I needed. I miss her smiling countenance.
I wish you men continued good health and long life.
Take care of yourselves
Nancy Otto
June 20, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Anne will always live in my memory. She was my oldest friend, from first grade at Forks Twp. School in Easton and our friendship continued throughout these many years and across many miles. Our last communication was commemorating our March birthdays this year and I had not an inkling of her illness, she was her own very lovely and charming self. I am so deeply sorry for Larry’s and Jonathan’s loss, my most profound sympathy goes out to them.
Marguerite Malone
June 20, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Anne was a very special person. She was kind, caring and could always see the good aspect of everyone and everything. She also had a great wit and was fun to be around. Logan and I will really miss her so much. I have to smile when I think of her telling me something and finishing it by saying, “I know you get me”. I also smile as I think about how we laughed our way through bridge hands when we played together, and when we celebrated our birthdays together. Larry and Jonathan, you know she adored you both and knew you felt the same. Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with you at this time of your great loss. And we will not lose touch. Our love to you both. Marguerite and Logan
Michael Radell, DDS
June 20, 2020 at 5:44 pm
Sincere condolences to the Alster family. It was our privilege and pleasure to know Anne. She always brightened our day.
Patricia Rook
June 20, 2020 at 6:01 pm
Anne and I have been fellow DAR sisters at the same Chapter in Sarasota, Florida. We served on the Board together. She was a greeter to meetings for many years. Her smile and sunny attitude made everyone feel welcome. She was always happy and it felt good to be around her. I will miss her terribly. My sincere condolences go out to her family and especially her husband, Larry.
Kate Langsen
June 20, 2020 at 6:45 pm
I too was shocked to hear of Anne’s death. She was a lovely person and a great bridge player! She will be missed.
Kathie Jones
June 20, 2020 at 6:58 pm
My heartfelt sympathies to you ,Larry and Jonathan on the loss of Anne. I am one of her PEO sisters in Sarasota. She was a lovely woman and we will miss her very much. May God bless you with peace as you mourn.
Gail Edelman
June 21, 2020 at 12:35 pm
We are so sad to hear about Anne’s death….My husband and I always enjoyed our dinners out with Anne and Larry…our many political discussions….Anne and I would often start out as partners in our Tuesday bridge group…she will be sorely missed…..I am still in a state of shock as Anne left us so quickly…..our heartfelt condolences to Jonathan and Larry….we are here for you…..
Matt Bertrand
June 23, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Anne was only my neighbor for the last few years, but her smile, kindness, and generosity shone through from the moment we met. She was always happy and welcoming when my wife and I would visit. She will certainly be missed greatly. Larry, I hope you can find solace during this difficult time knowing you shared your life with an angel.
Harmony Bertrand
June 23, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Anne was my neighbor and I have only known her for a few years, but I loved her from the moment I met her. She was always cheerful and kind and also very generous with her delicious baked goods. She often encouraged me to take as many gardenias as I wanted from her yard. She was one of those people who just made you smile. What a gem she was. I loved listening to her stories, especially the ones about the things she collected. I will bake her “Date and Nut Cake” recipe this Christmas and think of her. She will be deeply missed in our neighborhood. My deepest condolences to sweet Larry and their son, Jonathan.
Nick Stevens
June 24, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Reading through these many tributes affectionately offered by Anne’s friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, one cannot help but realize that this abundance of genuinely kind words come straight from the heart. To that listing of the many splendid personal qualities attributed to her, the one I am most anxious to add is “Gracious”–a term which not only encapsulates many of the sentiments already expressed but which, in some ways, overarches them all. That element of sincere and universal sociability, in whatever company she graced, emanated from an authentic respect for others, irrespective of their level of accomplishments or station in life. Her instinctive connection with our common humanity made her a most welcome participant in any gathering as well as a role model for what it means to be a truly compassionate soul. We have all lost a rare and wonderful person in Anne—and an irreplaceable companion for my oldest living friend.
Mary Jo Zaksas
June 25, 2020 at 12:48 am
I had a hard time writing this as it is difficult for me to put my love and feelings for Anne in words. She has been my dear friend, confidante and bridge partner for our weekly game at Laurel Oak since it started six years ago. She often referred to herself as my “fun” bridge partner (especially in conversations with my husband). Anne was always a positive and calming influence on me as she never took herself too seriously at the bridge table. I could always rely on Anne for a casual and fun afternoon.
I always looked forward to our breakfast at First Watch before bridge and anticipated that our conversations would be invigorating. Anne was smart, well read and always added an interesting perspective to what was going on in the world.
She loved frogs and had many frog collectibles in her home. She called herself “Auntie Anne” to my two cats Caspurr and Kaylee. During her visits, she often brought them toys which they still enjoy.
Anne was a rare gem and will be missed by all of us. My sincere condolences to Larry and Jonathan in this very difficult time. However, we should rest assured that Anne has a high place in heaven and will be there to keep an eye on us as we go about the everyday challenges that we must face.
Linda Olesen
June 28, 2020 at 3:02 pm
I first met Anne at a DAR meeting in Sarasota about five years ago. Her welcoming smile then – and for many years after that – was such a wonderful beginning to the meetings. I had also lived in the Virginia area so we had another connection to converse about.
She always was available to answer questions and to refer me to other members for further information. I appreciated this very much.
My condolences to Larry and to Jonathan on ther loss of this amazing woman.
Lee Elliott
July 10, 2020 at 5:41 pm
Anne and I were friends for about fifty years. She was a lovely person filled with kindness and wisdom. Even though she moved to Florida, we stayed close friends and communicated all the time. I will truly miss her.
Larry and Jonathan, I send you my deepest sympathy and love. May He who watches over us help you in the days ahead and give you strength.
Richard Mougalian
July 14, 2020 at 5:44 am
Larry, so sorry to have heard of Anne’s passing. She brightened up the Laurel Oak duplicate game with her friendly smile and shining eyes. You and we all have lost a real treasure.
Carol Lehr McClelland
August 1, 2020 at 3:56 pm
From the time Anne and I were born days apart in the Easton, PA hospital, we became the sisters we didn’t otherwise have. Exchanging Christmas and birthday presents/cards for all these years, I will miss her forever. We played together, went to camp together and Moravian Seminary together. Anne followed me to Washington, DC,,where we lived together for a while before we both were married. Alec and I spent many happy times with Larry and Anne in Virginia and after they moved to Florida.
It was only today that I found out she is gone. When she hadn’t answered my recent emails and her phone didn’t work, I googled her to try to find a different number. What a surprise when her obituary came up.
I hope Jonathan and Larry will stay in touch with me. I will be thinking of them constantly, especially in the upcoming days.
Carol M.
Joan D’Agostino
April 19, 2021 at 12:49 pm
Anne was a wonderful friend. We met while we were both taking the Capital Speakers Club Class. We both lived in Great Falls, so we would ride together for class and we became close. Anne was funny, kind, sensible, and loving.
I am so sorry Larry and Johnathan for your loss. She was a loyal and good friend to me and I won’t ever forget her.
-Joan D.
JoDee said Isabella McDonnell
June 6, 2021 at 11:47 am
Dearest Larry,
I am so saddened to learn of Anne’s passing. It was always a joy to spend time with both of you. The joy and love Anne shared will be with us forever. Thank you for being so kind and loving to Isabella. It is no wonder why Isabella felt so warmed by Anne’s spirit. A treasure. Many hugs and much love to you Larry.
Peace.