Ann Bailey Leavenworth

SPRINGFIELD - Ann Bailey Leavenworth passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 27, 2018 at her home in Springfield, MA after a brief battle with cancer. Born in East Longmeadow but living most of her life in Springfield, Ann was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School, UMass (B.A.) and Springfield College (M.S.). She was dedicated to social justice and community activism and was proud to spend her life promoting civil liberty and helping the impoverished. As part of this fight, Ann was one of the founding members of the National Coalition of Title 1 Parents and served on the board of the NAACP of Springfield. She worked to establish national client groups with the Board of Legal Services and NLADA to promote awareness of fundamental rights and ensure all people are treated equally under the law. Additionally, Ann worked to better the local Springfield community as a board member of The Springfield Partners for Community Action, her work on homelessness with the Springfield Action Commission, and through work with the Open Pantry as well as participation with many other groups and programs. Ann was also an active member of her church community at the Holy Family parish and later Saint Michael Cathedral as a member of the Ladies of Saint Peter Claver. In her spare time Ann had a passion for bird watching and gardening. She tried to greet everyone she met with a smile and leave people a little better than she found them. Ann is predeceased by her parents, two siblings, and son Joseph. She leaves her sons, John Bailey and Kevin Bailey of Springfield and Alan Bailey of Ludlow, and daughters Mary Bailey Franco of Wilbraham and Kathleen Bailey of Ludlow. She is remembered by her grandchildren, Michael Bailey, Genevieve Bailey Hanson, Kacey Bailey, and Karly Bailey of Ludlow, Eric Franco and his wife Shelby of Wilbraham, Michelle Franco of New York City, and Matthew Laverdiere of Springfield. Also saddened by her loss are her brother Clifford and sister Pat of Florida, her four great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Calling hours will be Sunday, August 5, 2018 from 4-6PM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 beginning at 8:15AM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Michael Cathedral, 260 State Street, Springfield at 10AM. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ARISE for Social Justice of Springfield or the American Cancer society. Please visit www.nefcc.net

Ann Bailey Leavenworth

June 18, 1936 - July 27, 2018