Anne Sande

October 12, 1941 – December 17, 2022

Ann Elizabeth Hirst Sande of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away on Saturday, December 17^th due to medical complications. Ann was born October 12, 1941, in Concord, New Hampshire to Heston and Ruth (Galway) Hirst. In 1944, her family moved to Barrington, Rhode Island, where Ann grew up and always called home. She was a Brownie and a Girl Scout. She was a 1959 high school graduate of The Wheeler School in Providence, RI. While there, she was a member of the glee club and was the business editor of the yearbook. She was a National Merit Scholar — a recognition of her academic achievement. Wheeler prepared her well for Smith College for Women in Northampton, Massachusetts where she was an English literature major, sang in the glee club, and made many life-long friends. She graduated in 1963. She continued her relationship with Smith College long after graduation and for some years was the Class of 1963 chairperson for special gifts and class steward raising money for the college. Following graduation, she worked for Encyclopedia Britannica Library Research Service in Boston for four years. She loved research and writing and often said in jest, “Ask me anything.”

Ann met David Lewis Sande on a blind date in Boston. They were introduced by Jon Rhode, a friend of Ann from Barrington, RI who was attending Harvard Medical School with David. They married August 28^th, 1965, in Providence, RI, and began 45 wonderful years of marriage. While David completed his oral surgery residency at Mr. Sinai Hospital in New York City, Ann helped support them by working on Wall Street in the Bear Stearns & Co. research department. The soon-to-be family of three moved to Grand Forks in July of 1970 and welcomed their firstborn son, Hans Ole. Dana Clarkson Stillings followed in 1972, and their family was complete.

Ann had many hobbies and passions throughout her lifetime, and touched many lives. She was a prolific reader of fiction, and Star Trek (the original and sequels) was her favorite TV show. She always listened to public radio, and in the 1980s worked at KFJM Prairie Public Radio spinning the classical vinyl. She volunteered for many organizations including the Roosevelt/Lewis and Clark Parent Teachers Organization, United Way, Girl Scouts, Rape Crisis Center (now known as CVIC), and most recently the Grand Forks Community Advisory Committee.

Ann was elected to the Grand Forks City Council in June 1994, serving the city during the historic flood of 1997. She took her duty as a council member seriously and was proud to serve her constituents. Her work on the council is memorialized by her vision to support the building of the Grand Forks Greenway which continues to benefit local residents and will do so for generations.

Ann was a fearless card player and often her son Dana’s card partner. She would often lament, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” She was an accomplished cook, often “personalized” Julia Child’s recipes when hosting family and friends. She collected over 300 cookbooks. When not cooking she liked to gather with family and friends for dinner at downtown restaurants.

Ann was a proud Rotarian, typically leading their group in song. She was always up for an adventure. She and David loved their trip to Turkey. Ann also travelled with her mother to Ireland visiting the town where her mother’s family still has relatives.  Whether it was travelling the world or riding in a tube on the lake with her grandchildren, she was ready to go.

Ann Sande was a loving and caring daughter, sister, devoted and adored partner with David, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved her children and grandchildren, and they will miss her eternally. In the eyes of her family, and those who knew her, she will be remembered as one who cared, made a positive contribution, and was always exquisite.

She is survived by her sons Hans (Kristine), Dana (Meggen), and grandchildren Stella, Clarkson and Curtis; brothers Edgar (Robin) Hirst of Marina Del Rey, CA, and George (Nan) Hirst of Cape Cod, MA; brother-in-law Steve (Susan) Sande of Scottsdale, AZ and sister-in-law Karen Sande of Round Rock, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, parents-in-law, and brother-in-law Curtis. **In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Northlands Rescue Mission.