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Ann Woodin
Ann Woodin, long time Arizona author and wife of artist Andrew Rush, passed away peacefully with her close family in attendance, in her home at Rancho Linda Vista in Oracle, on April 25, 2017.
She is survived by her husband, Andrew Rush, and many others. Ann had four sons with Bill Woodin, the first director of the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum: Peter, now an attorney in New York; John, Arizona rancher and builder; Michael an artist, and Hugh, a mathematician, along with four step-children through her marriage with Andrew Rush, Arizona artist. She was the grandmother and step-grandmother to 16 growing or grown children.
Ann was born in New York City in 1926, the daughter of Katherine Rollins. She graduated from Wellesley College where she studied writing with Vladamir Nabokov and others. She was the author of three books, including her best known work, Home is the Desert, published in 1964. Her other works are: In the Circle of the Sun (1971), an account of her extraordinary year long camping journey through the deserts of the old world with her family; and The Rule of Two (1984) illustrated by her second husband Andrew Rush, an autobiography on relationship, as reflected in the art community of Rancho Linda Vista in Oracle.
Her service as a community volunteer was as distinguished as her writing career. Ann served on the Pinal County Board of Adjustments for many years; she was also a youth mediator for the Pima County Attorney General’s Office, Recording Secretary for the Oracle Town Hall, as well as Recording Secretary for the Board of the Rancho Linda Vista Artists Community. Before the onset of dementia in 2010, she also served as the Coordinator of Volunteers for The Drawing Studio of Tucson.
A Memorial Service will be held May 28, 5 p.m., at Rancho Linda Vista,1955 Linda Vista Rd. in Oracle. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name can be contributed to The Drawing Studio, Inc. 2760 N. Tucson Blvd. 85716. Ann will be entombed in Oracle.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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