Ann Marie Torr ... former NH legislator of the year; at 88

DOVER - Ann Marie Torr, 88, died peacefully surrounded by her adoring family on April 19, 2023, after a period of declining health. Ann was born February 11, 1935, in Rochester to Lucien E. and Catherine E. (Johnson) Bergeron.

The third born of a family of ten, Ann was educated at Holy Rosary School in Rochester. She graduated from the Notre Dame School of Nursing (RN, 1955), received a B.A. from New England College (1977), and earned a management certificate from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (1996).

After nursing school, Ann met the love of her life, Frank Torr, and they were married in June 1959. She began her path in life as a registered nurse. Initially in the operating room of the Frisbie Memorial Hospital and later at St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and then as the school nurse at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Ann made a difference. She had a significant impact on her family, community, and the State of New Hampshire. She was humble and selfless. Ann contributed considerable time, inspired others, and supported many local and statewide causes and her friends' and neighbors' dreams and aspirations.

Ann served as Majority Whip in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1989-1993 and Majority Leader from 1994-1996. She was the second female to serve as Majority Leader of the New Hampshire House after her friend and colleague, Carolyn Gross. Ann was proud to have sponsored and directed the passage of the bill that provided for kindergarten education to children statewide. She was equally pleased with her leadership role in the Wentworth Douglass Hospital's journey to excellence and the transformation from a community hospital to the Seacoast's Leading Medical Center.

Along with her healthcare advocacy and leadership, Ann was a staunch advocate of higher education in the state. She served as a Trustee of the Community College System of New Hampshire from 1999 to 2014. Ann believed education was a precious resource that should be available to each New Hampshire child. She was determined in her support and belief that every child deserved the opportunity to pursue higher education. Ann was a staunch advocate of the trades and developing everybody's skills to the best of their ability.

Ann contributed to many local, state, and national organizations throughout the years. Including the American Hospital Association Congress of Trustees, the National Conference of State Legislators (Executive Committee), the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, six terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives (1984 to 1998), the New Hampshire Hospital Association, New Hampshire Community Health Grants Advisory Board, Swampscott Home Health, Strafford County Community Action Program and the Wentworth Douglass Hospital Board of Trustees.

She was recognized as the New Hampshire Legislator of the Year in 1987 by the New Hampshire Nurses Association and selected as the Dover Citizen of the Year in 1990. Ann received the New Hampshire Hospital Association's James A. Hamilton Founders Award in 1993.

Ann was a dynamo. You got a candid and authentic response if you asked Ann her opinion. She was honest and constructive. Ann treated everyone with respect, welcomed vigorous debate, and although you may have yet to find common ground or agreement, she remained a passionate and loyal friend.

Of all her accomplishments, Ann was most proud of her family. She was the epicenter of her family and the glue that held the family together. She loved family gatherings and traditions. She especially enjoyed daily con

versations with her daughter, from which she drew inspiration and comfort.

Ann adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of her greatest joys was being active in her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's lives as they grew up. She was known as the "ice cream Grandma," - and she didn't miss a game, play, or other event no matter how windy or wet the field or cold the rink, even as her eyesight faltered.

Ann had a great fondness for the ocean, especially for the time spent as a child at Wells Beach and later in life at York Beach and Biddeford Pool with her family.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 63 years, Franklin G. Torr of Dover; children, Thomas F. Torr and his wife, Lisa B. Torr, of Lee, Lawrence L. Torr and his wife, Christine M. Torr, of Madbury, and Patricia T. Aiken and her husband, Christopher J. Aiken, of Rochester; grandchildren, Tyler H. Torr and his wife, Natasha L. Torr, Michael F. Torr, Christian M. Torr, Catherine A. Torr, and Caleb Torr Aiken; great-grandchildren, Hunter E. Torr, Lila A. Torr, and Ivy I. Torr.

Ann is survived by brothers George W. Bergeron (Lorraine), Lin P. Bergeron (Karen), Alan A. Bergeron (Patricia), and Leo E. Bergeron (Jacqueline), brothers-in-law Ralph W. Torr, and Nathan J. Torr (Lydia), sisters-in-law Lynne M. Cummisky, Deborah F. Bergeron, and Mary G. Braiterman, and many nieces, and nephews.

Along with her parents, Ann is preceded in death by her sister Joan B. Couture; brothers Louis E. Bergeron, Richard R. Bergeron, Guy L. Bergeron, and Marc B. Bergeron, brothers-in-law Joseph E. Couture and David G. Torr, sisters-in-law Marcia L. Bergeron, Nancy Hebert, Florrie Bergeron, Janice I. Torr, and Pauline C. Torr.