Ann J Cartwright passed peacefully on April 2, 2022, after a short stay at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, MA; her family was at her side.
She was born in Provincetown on November 8, 1933, to the late Maude (Francis) Jacobs and Frank Jacobs.
At the young age of five she was sent to school at Rosary Academy in Watertown, MA until the age of eighteen returning home during summer breaks. During some of those breaks she would be an apprentice to artist Peter Hunt. She also loved sailing on the Hindu. In later years Ann would sport a lapel pin 'I Survived Catholic School'.
Ann continued her education at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, aka MassArt, becoming a potter where she and her future husband John ‘Jack’ Cartwright created beautiful pottery and their own glazes. Graduating with a teachers degree Ann taught pottery classes on Martha’s Vineyard. The pieces that Ann made from the clay from the cliffs of the Vineyard are still with us today.
Then over the pond to London, England she went where Jack was serving in the Navy, they married and started their family. Daughters Christie, Susi and Karen were born in London. We are told that living in London was one of her happiest times, residing in a renovated Opera house shared with other foreigners. The vibe of London and the sophisticated social group they had was 'just her cup of tea.'
Upon returning to the states the family lived in Bellingham for a bit, where daughter Jane came along and then back to Provincetown and six years later, OOPS, came Melanie. Ann spent most of her time with the girls on, what the Cartwright girls still call “Nana's Beach" playing on the flats at low tide and dazzling them by digging, opening and eating clams right there, with her bare hands. As the girls got older she taught them the proper sun tanning technique of slathering on baby oil, Iodine and Bain de Soleil! SPF, What?
In the mid 70's she met her now lifelong partner Vincent 'Magic' Parris while renting his house. Throughout the years the two traveled several times to Magic's birthplace in St. Kitts, BVI where they eventually bought some property. They traveled to Canada, where Ann fell in-love with the architecture, Oregon and Vermont.
A few of the notable jobs she worked over the years were the Drop-in Center, and the Cheese Market Deli. One of her favorites was working for Sue and Hanna at Half Moon Bay Leather. She was a master seamstress and loved working with the leather. By far her favorite job was when she began working at the Provincetown Library. She took great pride and pleasure in her specialty, archiving and rebinding books. Ann worked at the library until she retired 2021.
Ann had a passion for books and writing, she was very well read and not a day went by that she did not journal, which there are stacks of notebooks that we will never dare to read for fear of her wrath.
Every day would start with a VERY strong black cup of coffee, a notebook to journal or a book to read. And heaven help the 'poor unfortunate soul' who interrupted that ritual.
"I don't care that your finger fell off, do not bother me until I've had my coffee!"
She was an amazing gardener and would identify every plant and tree by its Latin name. Her skill and love of gardening was passed on to her girls. She also taught them to love and care for all living things and to help our fellow man. She had a big heart and compassion for others, and our home was always open to anyone in need.
Ann often gave to others what she barely had for herself!
She taught her daughters to carry themselves with grace, dignity, proper manners, and the proper use of profanity to emphasize your point. She loved a good dirty joke and could 'flip the bird' with the best.
Later in life Ann and Magic moved into the family home to care for Ann's mother, Maude. They also helped in the raising of two grandchildren, Jesse and Joselyn.
Ann is predeceased by her sister Mary when they were toddlers. Her eldest daughter Christie who passed at the age of eleven and her very much-loved son-in-law John R Woods.
She is survived by her partner of forty-plus years, Vincent 'Magic' Parris, daughters Susi and shared kitty Sayid, Karen and husband Scott, Jane and partner Stanley, Melanie and husband Michael along with her stepchildren Anthony Parris and wife Mary Jo, Christopher Parris, Malinda and husband Billy and Heather Parris. Jane's son Jesse Cartwright and pup Loki, Karen's son Matt Konkol his wife Pam, and son little Matt, as well as Melanie's daughter Joselyn Woods and her son Zhane. Anthony and Mary Jo's daughter Tisha and her husband Steven. Son Jordan and his wife Kathryn, Malinda's son Eugene and Heather's children, twins Danae and Elyza, and daughter Shynia, and her children also survive her.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ann's family on Wednesday April 13th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown. At Ann’s request, funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, hug your loved ones and if desired donate to help cure Alzheimer's at the Alzheimer Family Support Center, 2095 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631.