Anne Stafford

Anne L. (Davis-Hookway) Stafford, a woman who could do almost anything and was never afraid to take on new challenges, passed away peacefully at the Care Dimensions Hospice House on April 16. She was 87 years old. Anne was born in Framingham. She grew up in the Woodville section of Hopkinton with her parents and nine siblings. She was a graduate of Hopkinton High School and Worcester State College with a B.S. in education. Anne had a special way of reimagining herself throughout her life. She taught in Hopkinton and at a private girls school for a number of years. She was a mother raising five children in Framingham, office administrator for Jetspray Corp., office director for Koch Corporation, owner and proprietor of The Snow Goose Inn in East Brookfield, and author of three novels. She was successful in all her careers for many reasons, including her intelligence, skills and ability to work with others. She believed there was nothing she couldn’t do if she set her mind to it. She loved to interact with other people and only saw the good in everyone she met. She would bring a struggling student home for dinner. She could strike up a conversation in line at the grocery store or even while walking the Marginal Way in Maine. She loved hearing others’ stories. She was kind, without prejudice and always found a way to make connections with others. She had a deep and abiding faith in God, and it shaped who she was.

She took a home in East Brookfield and made it into the Snow Goose Inn. She managed the renovations, did much of the decoration herself, and was the chef, manager and friendly face that guests loved to see. She had regulars who visited every year who loved the accommodation but even more so loved the warmth and experience that came from Anne.

She had a love of writing from a very early age. She started with poetry, then short stories, and eventually published three books: “The Reluctant Cougar,” “Chief Samson and Reverend Delilah,” and “Sins of Our Parents.” Descriptions of her books and samples of her poetry can be seen on her website, annedrover.com.

Anne was a talented chef and cook, and something delicious was always cooking in the oven. One of Anne’s proud accomplishments was being the head of the American Dental Auxiliary Society, even publishing a comforting guide for children awaiting their dental visit.

Nantasket was a very special place for Anne, visiting each summer with her family as she was growing up. She met her first husband, Chip Hookway, at Nantasket Beach and had a cottage there while raising her own family. She loved being near the ocean, hearing the waves, and all the summertime activities offered in the community for families. Her cottage had a barn that Anne converted into a large clubhouse for her children and their friends. It became the neighborhood hangout. She loved knowing the kids were close by.

Anne led by example and set high standards that all of her children wanted to live up to. She had an incredible devotion to her family, attending all of her children’s sporting and school events and any other activity that was important to them. She was her family’s biggest cheerleader. This tradition continued with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her love and joy, and she made sure they knew it. She cherished every moment with them and expressed her love for them and pride in them routinely. In her free time, she enjoyed being involved in her church, reading, gardening, live theater, political discussions, Red Hat Society, Burlington Historical Society and spending time with family and friends.

Anne had a wonderful life. At the age of 87, her bucket list was empty. She lived her life in the way she wanted. She loved adventure, challenges and new experiences. Her spirit will live on in her poetry, books and, most importantly, the memories she shared with family and friends.

Anne was the beloved wife of the late Douglas Stafford. She was the former wife of Dr. Harold H (Chip) Hookway Jr. and John Drover, both of whom predeceased her. She was the loving mother of Kerrin Hookway Frank and husband Glenn of Bedford, William Hookway of Worcester, Kevin Hookway and wife Carol of Natick, Cheri Patron and husband Matthew of Chelmsford, and the late Doug Hookway. She was the loving sister of Rosalie Baker-Brown of North Yarmouth, Maine, the late Gwendolyn Ione Lawson, Edward “Ted” Davis, Muriel Wheeler, Inez Higgiston, Dr. Russell Davis, Priscilla Fredrickson, Paul Davis and Ruth Petracca-Matthews. She was like a second mom to many beloved nieces and nephews. She was the proud “Nana” to Jenna, Jordan and Cameron Frank, Shannon, Jackson, Bethany and Mitchell Hookway, Zachary Patron, Kaylee Drover and the late Tyler Patron. She was the great-grandmother of Ryan and Nick Arsenault and Benjamin Mady-Frank.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, on Friday, April 21, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the United Church of Christ Congregational, Burlington, 6 Lexington Street, Burlington, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 22. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Memorials in Anne’s name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org), 220 North Main Street, Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760. For online guestbook, video tribute and livestream of the funeral service, visit sullivanfuneralhome.net.

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