Teacher, shutterbug, grandmother
Ann Malinson. (Courtesy photo)
Ann (Pulsifer) Mallinson, 79, died of colon cancer April 1, Easter Sunday, surrounded by family and friends. Although most recently a resident of Milford, Ann always had Harvard in her heart, having lived in the town from 1975 to 1988. She was a member of the Harvard Unitarian Church until the time of her death.
Ann was born in Lowell Feb. 26, 1939, to Walter and Josephine (Howes) Pulsifer. The family, including her brother, David, and sister, Jane, moved throughout New England following Walter’s jobs as teacher, principal, and then superintendent of schools. Josephine, a nurse, could create or repair anything and was solely responsible for the family while Walter served in the Army in India during World War ll.
Ann graduated from Boston University in 1960 with a degree in education. This is where she met her husband, Donald Foster Mallinson. Although married just 20 years, Ann and Don remained lifelong friends—a great gift to their children.
Although Ann was a certified teacher, her career spanned education in many forms—first as an elementary school teacher, then as a stay-at-home mother, and finally as a corporate trainer for Digital Equipment Corporation and as a self-employed contractor. Her favorite job, though, was as a part-time caregiver for two of her grandchildren.
Music, photography, travel, gardening, and tearooms were Ann’s passions. She sang for many years with Harvard Pro Musica and the Unitarian Church choir. She amassed more than 50,000 photographs during her worldwide travels to destinations such as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada. She also traveled throughout the United States and on several cruises. Ann shared her photos as a member of the New England Shutterbugs Camera Club. Her children remember rolling their eyes every time she pointed out a specific plant. And there isn’t a tearoom in New England that she hadn’t visited at least once.
Ann is survived by her sister, Jane Klasmeier; her children, Deborah Burke, Douglas Mallinson, Lisa Brown, and Ian Mallinson; and eight grandchildren.
A remembrance service will be held Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Church.
