Ann Reynolds Wise, a former scientist turned lobbyist and civic volunteer, died peacefully in Naples, Florida on Valentines Day 2025 after  fighting Alzheimer’s Disease for over ten years.

Ann was born in Erie, PA on April 28,1938 to Manley “Bucky” Reynolds and Alice Dumm Reynolds. She attended Academic H.S. until the 11 th grade when she enrolled in Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University) as a chemistry major. She met her husband of 65 years, Glenn, when both were graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University; they married in 1959. Ann had a varied and successful professional career in multiple fields after college. At the start of her career, Ann moved to Connecticut with her husband to a job in the aerospace industry, where she worked with emerging solid-state electronics and was awarded a patent in photo lithography. After moving to Massachusetts, Ann worked on the then just-discovered organic semiconductors under an Air Force contract.

Ann then switched to domestic life, settling into a new home in Dover, MA in 1963, The following 3 ½ years saw the arrival of four children, and the beginning of an enthusiastic and successful role in motherhood. When things with the children settled down and were running smoothly, Ann entered town government, she became the first woman to be elected to the town Warrant Committee, and in 1976, to be elected as a town Selectman; she served as Chairman of that board. Her new political skills led to job as lobbyist in Massachusetts and New York for a local industrial company. This proved to be a spring board to bigger things.

In 1983, when her husband was offered a job in Japan, Ann with the enthusiastic urging of her twin ninth grade daughters, agreed to relocate to Tokyo, where everyone said a ‘gaijin wife’ would never get a work permit. She proved them wrong, and became the Director of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce. This required travelling from New Zealand to India and countries in between to organize, support and report activities for American companies operating in the region. She also organized and led annual summer delegations to lobby Congress and the White House on international business issues. A return to Washington, DC, in 1989 led to a similar position as Managing Director of the American committee of the Pacific Basin Economic Council.

Ann retired in 1999 and moved with Glenn to Naples, FL in 2000, where they settled in to Kensington Golf and Country Club. There she enjoyed golf, tennis and contract bridge and built many friendships. Duty called again however, and she ran and was elected to the inaugural member run board for the community. She was also active in the Naples World Affairs Council. The onset of dementia, diagnosed as  Alzheimer’s in 2014, limited her activities and resulted in a move to assisted living and later memory care at Seascape at Naples in 2021.

Two loves graced Ann’s full and robust life. One was her summer house on MacMahan Island, Maine, to which she returned every summer after discovering the idyllic spot in the 1960s. She relished the community and looked forward to the opportunity to reunite and socialize with old friends, sail the Maine coast and unwind each summer. Of course she ended up on its board, and was a two-term president.

The second – and greatest love – was for her family. She quickly recognized Glenn as the love of her life and together they embarked on many great adventures. She was fiercely proud of her children and grandchildren, supported their dreams, and was fond of boasting of their accomplishments. While in Asia, Ann made sure her family made the most of the experience – whether sailing, diving, skiing, or exploring unique cultures in far-away countries. Ann also loved hosting her grandchildren in Naples and Maine, creating special memories with each,  whether from shared birthdays, pool parties or sleep overs.

Ann was predeceased by her parents and brother James Reynolds. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Glenn, and children Richard (Carmela), Jeffrey (Sandra Garcia), Susan (John Swart) and Kristin Emy (John), nine grandchildren (Isabel O’Gara (Rob), Christopher, and Catherine Wise; Anna, Cecilia, Sophia and Mia Emy; and Remment and Sebastian Wise), and one great granddaughter (Maeve O’Gara).

A memorial service is planned for the summer on MacMahan Island, Maine.

Donations in Ann’s memory made be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Avow Hospice of Naples, FL.