In Memoriam

Anne Catherine Cleveland
Class of '41

Anne Catherine Cleveland, 88, concluded her life's journey on December 14, 2008, in her home in Glens Falls, NY, surrounded by her friends, after a prolonged illness. She was a 1937 graduate of St. Joseph College High School and a member of the SJC Class of 1941.

Born on Aug. 10, 1920, in Glens Falls, she was the daughter of Samuel Brown and Katherine "Cassie" Collins Cleveland.

Anne received her B.S. degree in home economics and education from Syracuse University and a master’s in guidance from SUNY Albany. She did graduate work at The College of Saint Rose, Russell Sage College, and Syracuse and Cornell universities. She also had taken some courses at Texas Tech University in Lubbock toward a doctoral degree.

Anne taught all grade levels from kindergarten through college in New Jersey and New York State. She ended her teaching career in the Glens Falls City School District as chair of the home economics department.

Miss Cleveland was the last charter member of the local Alpha Epsilon Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International whose membership is made up of outstanding women educators in 17 countries. She was honored in May 2006, at the New York State Executive Board meeting and at the Alpha Epsilon Chapter meeting for her 50 years as a member and for the service she had given. She served her chapter in many positions including being its second chapter president. At the state level for the Society, she served as State Scholarship Committee chair, and on the State Achievement Award Committee until her death. She also served as New York State president 1977 to 1979. During her tenure as State President, New York State sponsored the first chapter in Mexico in Nueva Leone. Anne attended the ceremony. She was the recipient of Pi State-New York's highest honor, the Achievement Award in 1981 because she instituted an active state Legislative Committee. As State President, she represented the Society in 1977 at the 1st New York State Women's Conference sponsored by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. She was given a hard hat and asked to "man" one of the many microphones in case of trouble! The Society also honored her in 1996 with its Frederica Hollister Award for outstanding community service outside of the field of education. She gave the money from Hollister Award to the Adirondack Saratoga Chapter of the American Red Cross and Literacy Volunteers of Glens Falls.

As a member of the American Home Economics Teacher's Association, Anne served as president of the Eastern District which included the area from Plattsburgh to Nyack. She was a convention chair for the association and was influential in getting boys into home economics classes.

Anne was state president of the New York State Home Economics Teachers Association and received their Orchid Award for service. She recently passed this honor to Joan Welch when Joan was honored by the Girl Scouts as a Woman of Distinction (2005). For HETA, Anne initiated the Job Index which notified prospective home ec teachers of available positions throughout New York State; this service is still in operation.

Anne served as membership chair for the National Association of Vocational Home Economics Teachers and received a certificate from the organization for special service.
Miss Cleveland wrote and received a grant for 6th grade home economics. She worked with the New York State Education Department on writing new courses, as well as revamping home economics curricula. She was a curriculum consultant for SED for many years and upon the request of SED, Anne developed the first all-purpose home economics room at the Glens Falls Junior High School on Glen Street. From the start of her career in 1941, Anne taught consumer education, and, because of this interest, was invited to attend a consumer education meeting at the White House.

Anne was a member of Literacy Volunteers of Glens Falls and one of the first members to serve when the "Kiss a Pig" fund raiser was established. She was an active member who taught many students and served as vice president of the local chapter. Her student from Finland, Marietta Husu, and Anne kept in touch through the years.

Miss Cleveland was a member of Court McDermott No. 188 of Catholic Daughters of America. She served as Vice Regent and Regent of the Glens Falls Court. She also served as District Deputy for the area.

Anne served as a member of the Board of the Adirondack Chapter of the American Red Cross under Virginia Anderson and also under J. Andrew Collins for the Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. For many years, she served as the volunteer Chair of Volunteers.
Miss Cleveland was a member of the American Association of University Women and served as a co-president at one time.

Anne was proud of her membership in the DAR. She was a member of New England Women which she served as president, and as a member of the Jane McCrea Chapter of the DAR; she also served the Albany Area Mayflower Society as secretary for four years. Anne Cleveland traced her genealogy back to William Bradford. She served as secretary for the Bradford Society. Anne was very proud of the table she had that was made by her great-great-great-grandfather who fought in the Battle of Concord. It is Anne's wish that the three volumes of her geneology be donated to Crandall Library.

There wasn't an organization that Anne belonged to that didn't utilize her leadership expertise. She is listed in Who's Who of American Women 1985/86, Who's Who in the East 1983-1986 and again in 1995-96.

Anne was invited to Rome for the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton. She was sent to Germany for six weeks by the Glens Falls Board of Education as part of the local ITWA (Improving the Teaching of World Affairs) program. For the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, she served as its representative to meetings in Stockholm. While there, she visited the other Scandinavian countries. She traveled extensively on her own to South America, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, England, and many states in the United States as well as some of the provinces of Canada. Until her death, she was still corresponding with friends in Ireland, Nigeria, and Poland.

Anne was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Glens Falls, but also attended Mass at St. Alphonsus as she became less ambulatory.

She was predeceased by her parents and her many pet dogs. Survivors include her cousin, William Collins of Binghamton, her friend and "sister", Dr. Margarethe McCurry of Queensbury, her friends, her many caregivers who became part of her family, as well as several second cousins and their families who live in the Binghamton area.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Anne's memory to: Covenant House, 346 West 17th St. New York, NY 10010.

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