Ann Stearns ... owned Rochester dairy farm; at 90

ROCHESTER - Ann Dorothea Stearns (Josephson) died peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by the enduring love of those closest to her.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on June 16, 1934, Ann was the only child of Harold C. W. Josephson, a Swedish-born carpenter, and Rose Dorothea Wood Josephson, of German and English heritage. She spent her childhood in Arlington and Lexington, Massachusetts, attending Parker Elementary and Lexington High School. A devoted member of The First Church of Christ Science, Ann found guidance and comfort in her faith throughout her life.

From the age of seven, Ann, accompanied by her aunt Celeste, began visiting the Stearns dairy farm in Rochester. It was there she discovered her love of farm life and met a young farm boy named George, who would later become her husband and partner in every sense. During her teenage summers, Ann worked as a waitress in New London and at a kosher hotel in Old Orchard Beach, Maine--experiences that fostered her independence, strengthened her work ethic, and deepened her appreciation for community. After graduating high school, Ann attended the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston and soon began working at Raytheon's Research Division, a position she would fondly recall as "wonderful."

On November 14, 1959, Ann married George E. Stearns, and they embarked on a lifetime of love and devotion. Together they built a life on the family dairy farm in Rochester, raising three children--Jeffrey, Linda, and Laurie. As a wife and mother, Ann brought boundless warmth, unwavering support, and genuine kindness to her family's everyday life.

Ann's creative spirit was evident in everything she did. A lover of reading, photography, painting, knitting, and writing, she saw beauty in every scene--whether behind a camera lens, through a paintbrush, or in the written word. She delighted in simple pleasures, with her favorite foods including strawberry shortcake, salmon, pizza, filet mignon, and ginger ice cream. Her book shelves were lined with the works of Willa Cather, Catherine Cookson, Vilhelm Moberg, and others. She treasured the many journeys each novel took her on.

Her adventures, both near and far, were a source of great joy. She spoke often of her trips through the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee, exploring the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, and fulfilling a long-held dream of visiting Alaska. Proud of her Swedish roots, Ann wove her heritage into her home, traditions, and her writing. She authored a heartfelt novel, Beyond the Forest, a historical fiction about a young Swedish girl's immigration to America and the resilience required to build a life in New England.

Later in life, she and George spent time at their second home, nestled in the heart of the White Mountains in Randolph. Ann loved spotting the occasional moose and other wildlife that roamed the area.
Ann's loving spirit and constant support left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She will be remembered for her creativity, her sense of humor, and her unwavering devotion to family. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, George Stearns; her children, Jeffrey (and Cathy), Linda, and Laurie (and Tom Tremblay); her grandchildren, including Jessica Guerette (David), Ashley Taylor (George), Adam Stearns (Jeurica), Crystal Couture (Scott), Austin Tremblay (Ashley), George Tremblay, Joseph Tremblay, Julia Tremblay; and great grandchildren Felix, Scarlett, Sawyer, Willow, Taylor, Evan, Owen, Caleb, and many cherished friends and extended family members who were touched by her kindness.