Obituary of Ann Van de Water

departed this life from Horseheads NY, on August 29, 2013. She traveled widely throughout her 84 years, almost always from a home base of New York State. Ann was born on July 10, 1929, the daughter of L.M. and Agnes (Stapleton) Van de Water. In the face of the Great Depression, her New-York-City-dwelling parents moved upstate, confident that they could learn to grow food and support their family. Ann was predeceased by her parents and by her brother Peter Van de Water. After graduating from Walden High School, Ann attended what was then known as New Paltz State Teachers' College. She and James C. Graner were married on April 12, 1952, and made their home in Elmira NY, where Jim was an attorney for many years. They raised three daughters in their 24 years of marriage, and later divorced. Jim passed away in 2002. During her married life Ann was active in local charities such as the Junior League and the Ladies of Charity. She was an accomplished golfer who always reflected on how she could have bettered her round, referring to the sport as "an exasperating game". Her adventurous spirit led her to take tenting vacations with her daughters across the United States, often meeting up with her sister Mary Jane and her children, at a campground near some historic or recreational site. Ann enjoyed long evening drives on country roads, her daughters wailing from the back of the station wagon that Mom was lost and they would never find their way back home again. Fortunately they did, despite Ann's total lack of directional sense. Ann also led her children into downhill skiing at Greek Peak, where they were relieved to find that the trails were marked. After divorcing, Ann began again in Cortland NY, where her interest in real estate, investment and financial management became her profession for many years. She built her dream home, Windfield, at the top of the world on Van Donsel Road outside Virgil four corners. There Ann enjoyed country life, hiking and skiing, golf, creating extensive flower gardens, sharing her small vegetable patch with the local rabbits and wood chucks, as well as volunteer work. In retirement Ann made visits to several European countries with her circle of friends, and also to various ski resorts and golfing events. She enjoyed reading, knitting and all sorts of needlework, and keeping in touch with family and friends. She reluctantly left her beloved Windfield to live at Heritage Village in Southbury CT for three years, before most recently residing at Appleridge in Horseheads NY. Ann is survived by her three daughters: Gretchen Graner of South Strafford VT and her husband Curt Albee; Elizabeth Widman of Middlebury CT and her four children Shannon, Kelly, James and Connor; and Nora Graner-White of Horseheads, her husband Ronnie White and their two children Simone and Alexis. She is also survived by her sister Mary Jane D'Arrigo of Irvington NY and her six children; her cousins, Sister Maria Stapleton of Brentwood NY; and Ellen Arbogast of Winter Park FL. In keeping with Ann's wishes, there will be no calling hours or service. In her memory you are encouraged to support your local public library and to enjoy the outdoors.