By Jim Barns
Feb. 13, 2019: Ann Gail Barns died on October 15, 2018, in Boston. She was 75 years old.
Ann graduated from Bronxville High School in 1959. Throughout her life, art in many forms was her calling. She attended the Art Students League and School of Visual Arts in New York. For decades, she was a familiar person in Cambridge and Boston, walking purposely for another art subject. As she said, "It is what kept me going."
At the church she attended in Harvard Square, there was a wonderful service for Ann. On display were examples of her artwork, and attendees were offered a sample. Ann's therapist of 20 years took one of the finest of Ann's pen-and-ink sketches of people (her brother referred to them as her "laundromat people"). Nice to realize that each day he might see that and think of Ann, whom he was very fond of. Ann had emotional challenges she faced with great courage.