ROCKPORT — Nearly a week after the death of one of Rockport's most respected and admired civic activists, those in the community Ann Fisk loved so much are still paying tribute to their friend.
Fisk, who died peacefully in her home last Thursday only weeks after her 80th birthday after a year-long battle with multiple myeloma, was remembered by many as a caring, energetic, passionate and creative woman with a wonderful sense of humor.
The flag at Town Hall has been lowered to half staff in remembrance of the longtime artist and mother of two.
Daughter of artists Tod Lindenmuth and Elisabeth Warren, Fisk obtained her bachelor's degree in Design at Stanford University. Her initial art instruction from her parents was augmented by study in Cleveland with museum teachers and with a number of excellent artists in Rockport.
As a child, she came to summer in Rockport from Provincetown in 1940, living in St. Augustine in the winter. In 1961, she moved to Rockport permanently, where she would spend much of her time in artist colonies.
It was in those early days that fellow former civic servant, Bill Parsons, first came to know Fisk. As a teenager washing dishes at the Headlund's Restaurant on Bearskin Neck, Parsons would see Fisk walk by with her brother, Peter, at least once a day.
"She meant a lot to the community, she always had Rockport top in her mind," said Parsons, a former town accountant. "We loved to argue back and forth, we would disagree on philosophy quite often but we enjoyed it and I learned from Ann you could disagree without being disagreeable. I'll miss her."
Fisk's ability to disagree with people about "the issues" without it affecting friendships was among her most notable talents, friends said yesterday.
Former longtime Selectman Nicola Barletta served with Fisk on the Board of Selectmen after she was elected in 1967 as Rockport's second female selectman.
"She was a very enthusiastic selectman and worker, someone who wanted to improve the town any way she could or help out in any way she could," Barletta remarked. "She was a person who didn't hold a grudge, you could disagree with her or she could disagree with you but she was always your friend and would still support you.
"She was a wonderful person," he added, "I'll always remember her."
"Throughout her nine years of service, she was known for plain-spoken but spirited advocacy of causes she felt were important to the welfare of the town," said her son, Josiah Fisk.
Longtime friend and coworker Eleanor Hoy worked with Fisk at Toad Hall Book Store and served together with Fisk on the Library Board of Trustees.
"She leaves a huge hole in this community," Hoy said, yesterday. "It's a very sad loss for Rockport in many ways. She had a mind of her own without being nasty about it; she had opinions but didn't force them down your throat."
One cause Fisk espoused early on was environmentally responsible waste disposal.
She was particularly proud that nearly three decades before recycling became standard for Massachusetts communities, she created and operated a paper recycling program, personally driving to homes and businesses all over town to pick up bundles of paper. Soon after, she expanded the program to include glass and aluminum cans.
"They would call her Tin Can Annie," Hoy noted.
Fisk's highest profile cause was her intervention on behalf of the Rockport Public Library in 1987, when the Smithsonian Institution sought to deny the library a small portion of the Franz Denghausen estate that Denghausen clearly intended the library to receive. Fisk mobilized library supporters to contact the Smithsonian and political figures, and the story soon made headlines coast to coast. Massachusetts Attorney General James Shannon eventually become involved, brokering a settlement in 1990 under which the library prevailed. The $1 million the library received made possible the renovation of the Tarr School building into the library's current home
"She really was quite instrumental, it was (called) David vs. Goliath," said Hoy, who called on all public flags in Rockport to be lowered to half staff. "It was a summer of a lot of excitement."
The daughter and granddaughter of artists, Ann showed an early talent for art. She continued to paint throughout her life, primarily creating watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings, and pictures combining the two media.
Like her parents, she was a lifelong member of the Rockport Art Association. From 1983 to 1993 she served as the organization's executive director, and was involved in the Rockport Chamber Music Festival's first seasons, which were held at the Art Association, and in the town's annual Christmas Pageant.
"There was often a bit of humor and whimsy in her work," Hoy said. "She had a great sense of humor and it often showed in her work."
In the late 1980s, Fisk began leading non-instructional painting tours under the name Traveling Paintbrush. She developed a loyal following of amateur and professional painters and over the years she led more than two dozen of these trips, to picturesque areas of Europe, the Mediterranean, the British Isles and the American Southwest.
Her last such trip was in September 2008.
"A lot of people in this community will be sorry she won't be bringing people to Europe," Hoy said.
Ann married Charles Fisk in 1950, and moved to Palo Alto, Calif. They moved back to Rockport in 1961 and Charles founded C.B. Fisk, Inc., which he eventually built into one of the leading pipe organ firms in the world. The couple divorced in 1977. Fisk remained in Rockport until her death, residing in the home in Pigeon Cove that she and Charles had designed.
Peg O'Malley, a longtime nurse at Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, was a friend who hopes Fisk's life will inspire others.
"She was a very bright light in all our lives," O'Malley said. "She should inspire all of us to let our own lights shine brightly for one another and get to work to make all our lives better and more beautiful, as she did for us. We will miss her."
Fisk is survived by her brother Peter Lindenmuth of Boston, her son Josiah of Melrose and her daughter Miranda of Rockport.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Rockport, where she was a lifelong parishioner, on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1p.m. A reception will follow at the Rockport Community House. Gifts in her memory may be given to the Visiting Nurse Association, the Rockport Public Library, the Rockport Art Association, or any local conservation organization.
Fisk was once quoted saying, "life to me is filled with pure color, and I try to express this delight in my work, along with a pinch of humor."
Now, a grateful community is thanking her.
Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
