FALMOUTH – Ann Rees Harriman, 69, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at her home in Falmouth.

She was born on Oct. 5, 1935, the daughter of Alwyn and Linda Rees of Auburn.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, as she lived with a zest for life, deep commitment to spirituality, a love of nature and a strong belief in the value of community. She was an independent, vibrant whirlwind of activity and had a strong commitment to wellness through exercise and healthy living. She lived her life to its fullest potential by giving to and loving others with sincerity and grace. She spent the last month of her life visiting with friends, spending time with her family, writing thank-you notes and making phone calls to those who supported her as she struggled with lymphoma.

She graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn in 1953, then went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Simmons College in 1957. She held jobs as a community health nurse in Roxbury, Mass., the nurse and health educator at the Cerebral Palsy Center in Portland and the associate director of health services at the Southern Maine Red Cross. She spent much of her life in community service serving as co-chair, with her husband, for the capital campaign fund drive, trustee and chairman of the board of the Portland chapter of the American Red Cross, where she also earned the Community Impact Award in 2004.

Much of her time was also spent fund-raising for Democratic Party candidates, including as chairman of the Libby Mitchell for Senate campaign and co-chairman, with her husband, of the Maine Jimmy Carter for President campaign.

In her support of local artists, she organized a retrospective exhibition of the work of Lawrence Sisson and Jack Muench, with Tom Crotty at the Westbrook College Art Gallery.

She was a strong advocate for social justice as she served on the Falmouth Affordable Housing Committee, the Falmouth Elderly Housing Advocacy Group, traveled to Honduras to build houses for Habitat for Humanity and advocated for equality and dignity for gays, lesbians and those affected by HIV.

She was an active member of the Falmouth Congregational Church, where she taught in the church school and served on several boards and committees. She opened her mind to the world by traveling to various countries and opening her home to students and friends from Brazil, Russia, Japan, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France and Zimbabwe.

She was an avid and skilled fly fisherwoman, and fished with her husband, Charlie, on the Kola in Russia, the Miramichi in New Brunswick, Birchie Lake in Labrador, the Snake in Wyoming, St. Paul’s in Quebec and at the Megantic Club in Northern Maine. She landed and released 22 Atlantic salmon in 2004.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren at their cabin on Moshiers Island in Casco Bay. She and her husband made many friends on their nine trips down the inland waterway from Maine to the Keys in their lobster yacht, the Blue Charm.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Charlie Harriman; her sister, Sue Cowley and brother-in-law, Jack of Osburn, Idaho; her daughter, Melinda Harriman and son-in-law, John Barry of Denver; her daughter, Katrina Harriman Conde and son-in-law, Juan Conde of New Canaan, Conn.; her son, Rhys Harriman and daughter-in-law, Kelly Dennis of Jackson Hole, Wyo.; her son, Graham Harriman and his partner, Carlos Medina of Portland, Ore.; and her grandchildren, Tobin Dennis, Dillon Dennis, Kendall Hartzell, Haley Conde and Jesse Barry. She also leaves behind many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.