Schaller, Anne Knott, 90, of Wellesley, beloved wife of Frederick F. Schaller, Jr.
Born at home in Brighton, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth Dingwall and Frank M. Knott, Anne was the granddaughter of Annie M. Knott—one of the first practitioners of the Christian Science Church and Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Science Journal. Anne attended Dana Hall and Simmons College, going on to work at M.I.T. as a research associate in Nutrition, when she met and married Fred Schaller.
Anne was an active participant in the Unitarian Church of Wellesley Hills, and the Eliot Church of South Natick. She served as Treasurer for the family business, East Coast Plastics, and was a Wellesley town meeting member.
Anne served as Curator/Director of the Natick Historical Society for over 30 years. Her work included updating the museum exhibits and conservation practices, and archiving and documenting the collection with Janice Prescott. While at the museum, she shifted the focus from natural history to Natick’s social history, incorporating the historic cattle brand of the Praying Indians as the logo. In 1988, Anne co-authored the Images of America pictorial history of Natick. Anne initiated the annual Natick Garden Tour as a cooperative fundraiser for the benefit of the Natick Historical Society.
Anne and Fred were honored as “Hometown Heroes” in 1999. Anne was honored by the Natick Education Foundation in 2012 and received the Harriet F. Siegel Shining Light Award for her work between the Natick schools and the Historical Society. She particularly enjoyed working with students on projects that brought them to the museum for research and helping them discover their link to Natick’s historic past.
Anne enjoyed gardening, raising orchids, and handwork that included chair caning, furniture refinishing, hooked rugs, knitting, needlepoint, and baking. Her baked goods and other contributions regularly graced the church fair tables.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Frederick F. Schaller, Jr.; children Frederick W. Schaller of Wellesley; Robert M. and wife Tracy (Dillon) Schaller of Natick; Susanne Y. Schaller; David M. and wife Marie (Galego) Schaller of East Greenwich, RI; and Elizabeth A. (Schaller) and husband Babesh Bhuju of Natick; as well as five grandchildren Bruce, Alex, Diana, Grant, and Kate. Anne is predeceased by brothers Kenneth Knott and Donald M. Knott. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16), Wellesley, Monday May 26 from 4-8PM. Funeral service in the Eliot Church, corner of Union St. and Rt.16, South Natick, Tuesday May 27, at 10:30AM. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Anne’s memory to the Natick Historical Society, 58 Eliot St. South Natick, MA 01760.