Ann E. Kantra

Ann E. Kantra, 87, passed away Monday, January 15, 2024 at Whitney Center. She was the beloved wife of Andrew E. Kantra, Jr. and the beloved mother of Andy Kantra, Julia Kantra Glynn, Suzanne Kantra and Michael Kantra (deceased) Ann Kantra was born in Norwood, MA on December 6, 1936, devoted daughter of the late John and Veronica (Brennan) Sullivan, she was a 40-year resident of Weston, Connecticut. She was a dedicated fulltime mother and wife for her three children, her husband, and their extended family. Before getting married, she graduated from Smith College and then earned a Masters in English from Yale University. After raising her children, she went on to get a Masters in Counseling from Fairfield University and a Masters in Social Work at Columbia University. She worked as a therapist for 25 years and ultimately had her own private practice until she retired in 2013. She achieved all of the goals she identified years ago in her Smith Yearbook when she wrote “I want to obtain the best education possible as a base of connection and contribution to the world; to expand that base throughout my life and to find a loving partner with whom I can grow.” Ann will be remembered for her love of life, her ability to laugh in even the toughest times and for the beautiful dignity with which she approached the world. Ann was a wonderful listener, and a great conversationalist. She encouraged a sense of adventure and saw the potential in others, even when they could not. She had a sense of wonder about the world around her and she loved the beauty of the outdoors and the peacefulness of gardening. Ann is survived by her best friend and husband of 64 years, Andy, her children: Andy Kantra (Malaine Reed), Julia Kantra Glynn (Dave Glynn), Suzanne Kantra (Josh Kirschner), and her grandchildren: Alanna, Zach and Max Kirschner, and Grace Kantra. She is also survived by her sister Ruth Sullivan (Ralph Titus), her brother, Charles Sullivan (Ellen Watters Sullivan), her nephew Brennan Sullivan (Harish Kandaswamy) and her niece Catherine Sullivan (R.K. MacLean) and family. She lives on in all of us and therefore will never truly leave us. A funeral service will held Friday at 11:30 a.m. in Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden. Calling hours will be held Friday from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 am A reception will follow at Whitney Center, 200 Leeder Hill Drive, Hamden, CT, 12:30-2:30pm. Burial will be private and will take place in Medford, Massachusetts on Saturday, January 20. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ann name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, http://www.alz.org or 800-272-3900 The funeral will be live streamed starting at 11:30 AM. Please reach out to the family for the Zoom link.

Ann E. Kantra

December 6, 1936 - January 15, 2024