Ann Wickes Brewer (1922-2006)

A lifelong sailor and a racer known along the Atlantic coast, Mrs. Brewer passed on her love of the sea to generations of young people… – THE BOSTON GLOBE

On November 11th, 2006, SEA lost one of our greatest treasures. Trustee Emeritus, Ann Wickes Brewer, passed away at her home in Manchester-By-The-Sea.

Ann Brewer graduated from the Foxcroft School in 1939 and earned a B.A. at Bennington College in Vermont in 1943. She had long associations with the New England Aquarium, the Trustees of Reservations, and was a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Manchester Yacht Club.

Ann learned to sail as a child at her family’s summer home in Newport, RI and continued sailing into her 80’s, traveling to Tahiti for a trip on the SSV Robert C. Seamans in 2002. She also sailed on the transatlantic voyage of the SSV Corwith Cramer in 1988. Director of Marine Operations, Al Hickey, sailed with her on that voyage and remembers, “Ann was enthusiastic in her support of SEA and showed it in numerous ways, including sailing on our ships. She was very observant, inquisitive and eager to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed. I very much enjoyed sharing the same watch with Ann during the Cramer’s maiden voyage.” Her obituary in the Boston Globe confirmed this enthusiasm, “A lifelong sailor and a racer known along the Atlantic coast, Mrs. Brewer passed on her love of the sea to generations of young people in different ways. For many years, as a member of the Board of Trustees of Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, she took voyages aboard sailing classroom square-rigged ships.”

According to SEA President Emeritus, Rafe Parker, “Ann was first recruited by Jimmy Madden, served as President following Townie Hornor’s tenure and led the way for the title of President to replace that of Executive Director.” She was elected to her first term as a Trustee of SEA in 1973 and had been active ever since, at different times serving as the Vice President of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, and as a member of the Committee on Trustees and Overseers, Development and Executive committees. In 1983 she accepted the role of Capital Campaign Chairman for the Madden Center Campaign. She was elected as a Trustee Emeritus in 2005.

On learning of the loss, Board Chair Linda Maguire said, “How often did we all benefit from her positive attitude and her eagerness to contribute to important discussions? How often did she offer crucial insights on our history and our purpose for being? Countless times. Ann’s energy, intelligence and commitment will be sorely missed.”

President John Bullard added, “From the first day I arrived at SEA, Ann Brewer was a wonderful resource for me. She offered support, advice and a rich historical perspective that was so valuable during transition. SEA has lost a treasure. I will personally miss her and miss receiving her legendary handwritten notes. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Ann has been published in Yachting, Sail and Cruising World sharing her photographs, articles and enthusiasm for sailing. She is survived by her children, Anita Brewer-Siljeholm, Gale Brewer, and Conant Brewer and four grandchildren.

On December 2, 2006, a memorial service was held in Manchester. SEAwas well represented at the service, and Rafe Parker gave one of the eulogies. With permission from the Brewer family, Rafe has agreed to share his farewell letter to Ann with the greater SEA community.

My Dear Ann,

This is the ultimate cruise to end all cruises, full of magic and wonder – and it has no end. It will take you to the edge of the Milky Way, and far beyond. But, before you finally slip those lines and bid farewell I want to reminisce for a moment, for I have a few things to say. I know, I know. You want to be off. Always, impatient when you’ve already laid your course and provisioned Jacques Coeur.

Why, even at Board meetings you were impatient to be finished. When my turn would come in the agenda to give my report you would tug at my sleeve. I would turn with feigned surprise, “Hello Ann!” But, I already knew what you had to say, “Now, Rafe, don’t dillydally. Make it short and sweet.”

Of course, I never did – make it short and sweet, that is – until now. This one’s for you Ann, wherever you might be – I promise not to dillydally.

As a child, your sense of independence and adventure, civic leadership and philanthropy, were nurtured at Chateau Gaillon, outside Paris, and amidst the skyscrapers of New York City, and the hills of Foxcroft School. Your deep love for the ocean and sailing began within the waters off Newport and Manchester.

Upon graduating from Bennington College, World War II immediately challenged those qualities as you worked to clear the waterways for the legendary Pan Am Clippers on the North Atlantic run. A life-long passion for photography and for flying soon followed.

But it was the sea and sailing that captured your energy and love of adventure. For over 40 years you and Jacques Coeur were inseparable. Together you explored the waters of Ireland, the Hebrides, the Baltic and the North Sea as well as your beloved Maine where you often sailed solo.

Jimmy Madden invited you to join the SEA Board nearly 33 years ago. For 23 of those, you led the inner circle of SEA Trustees and gave me, as SEA’s President, such magnificent support on many different levels. You were generous, caring, committed and tenacious. There was no doubt that you had a mind of your own. And you had the amazing ability to draw on the wealth of your friends and acquaintances as potential donors. You were either related to them, went to school with them, or sailed with them.

Do you remember when you would call me and say, “Rafe, I want you to meet this man. He could be an important catch for you. I’ll have him over to dinner. Make sure you bring your best rod and a high-test line. I think we might just be able to reel him in.”

I loved our “fishing” trips together. So many stories to share. One such trip was to New York to the George F. Baker Trust. I had invited the aging Draytie Cochran, close friend of George’s father and first owner of Westward, to join us. He was dressed somewhat awkwardly in an old suit that was clearly no longer tailored to match his larger frame. Underneath, he wore scarlet long johns. You had advised against inviting him for you were quite sure he would be a hindrance more than a help, a real distraction in our quest to raise “big” money.

Early in our delicate discussion with George, just as we were about to make the “big ask,”a strange deep throated sound emanated from behind us. Anxious not to break the momentum at this critical point in our presentation, I slowly turned my head to one side in the direction of the noise.

There, out of the corner of my eye, was Draytie, stretched out on the couch with one leg on the floor, fast asleep and snoring hard. And, peeping through the buttons of his fly was his scarlet underwear. Amidst much laughter from George was your loud red-faced admonishment, “There, I told you not to bring him!” We came away with all that we asked for. But, you’ve never let me forget that memorable visit.

In those early days, you did much to ensure I understood the New England fundraising culture. As you well know, I was quite naïve about its subtleties. I had asked Tom Cabot (Sr.), whom I knew from my days at Hurricane Island, to help me meet new people. He and Virginia were very kind to host a reception in Northeast Harbor for us. On perusing our guest list Tom came to your name. “Ann Brewer, now there’s a true Brahmin.”

I think I responded with some safe comment like, “Oh, good.” Inwardly, I said to myself, “My God, I was sure she was a Christian!” I know you are aware of that little gaff of mine because a number of your friends have subsequently come up to me and with poorly concealed delight have asked, “Is it true – you thought Ann was a Christian!”

Of course, one of your greatest delights was sailing aboard SEA’s ships, the Corwith Cramer and the Robert C. Seamans, and especially having the opportunity to be with our students. A wonderful memory that I have of you was on the taffrail of the Cramer off Nantucket, surrounded by the full class of students. Sitting next to you was your longtime friend and fellow Trustee, Exy Johnson of Yankee fame. The two of you were swapping sea stories with this enraptured audience. I have no doubt, those students will remember those inspiring moments for the rest of their lives.

Then there was the time when I was sailing with a friend in Maine in one of those heavy dripping fogs. We were feeling our way into the deeper reaches of Long Cove off Hurricane Sound. At the far end, a vessel on a mooring emerged out of the dark mist. It turned out to be the Jacques Coeur. You had told me a few days before that you were planning to sail solo from Manchester to all points east, so I rowed over to the vessel, called out your name twice but no response. I decided to go aboard in case you needed help. I called again, still no response. I then went below. And there you were, at the far end of the saloon, next to the warmth of your little coal stove. You had earphones on listening to Mozart with the Smeetons’ book, Once is Enough in your lap. And there, for nearly two hours, in the warmth and comfort of Jacques Coeur, we shared many stories and a good deal more glasses of my favorite Amontillado.

So, Ann, my dear friend, I’ll let you go now. The time has come for you to slip these lines and set sail for those distant waters far beyond any horizon. I am sure we will meet again in some sunlit cove where we will once more share our adventures over glasses of the best sherry. Give Exy a big hug for me when you see her. And, remember now, no dillydallying, there’s so much more wonderful cruising to do up ahead. They say it’s out of this world!

– Rafe Parker