Ann Preston

Ann H. Preston, 90, of Peterborough, NH passed away just before her 91st birthday on Friday May 26, 2023. She was surrounded by the love of her family.

Ann was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 30, 1932, the daughter of Stephen Beach and Virginia Kimmich Beach.

Ann was also raised in Cleveland.  She attended Bay Village High where she played basketball for 3 years, worked as co-editor for the Bay Village school newspaper, and as a senior, was the school's first girl to serve as Student Council President.  She won numerous awards and achievements including a 1st place Rotary Club speech.

Ann attended Oberlin College and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies.  She taught high school History, English, and Social Studies.  After retiring from teaching, she then joined the Peterborough Transcript as a correspondence reporter and photographer.

Ann had many passions and lived life to the fullest.  She was a member of the Fitchburg Camera Club and Peterborough Bowling League.  She was an avid and arts crafts person and read countless books and had an amazing knowledge of history.  She was a homemaker, a wife, mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother.  She played tennis and cross-country skied.  She loved the outdoors and was passionate about wildlife.  She loved cards with friends and family.  She donated to Audubon, Loon Preservation Committee, and contributed to wet-land preservation.  She loved travel and discovering new places.  Ann volunteered her time to teaching photography at the local high school and spent time with seniors at Monadnock Hospital.  She was an enthusiastic birder with over 450 birds on her life list and was always up for a birding adventure.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents Stephen Beach and wife Virginia, her sister Jane, her husbands Andrew Carnegie and Mark Preston, her partner Alvie Carpenter, and her son Drew Carnegie.

Ann is survived by her Brother George Beach and wife Barbara, her children Virginia Watkinson and her partner George Haroutunian, Steve Carnegie and his wife Margaret.  Stepmother to Mike Preston and Sharon Preston.  Grandmother to Rebecca, William, Paige, Eric, and great-grandmother to Luke, Emily, James, Noah, and Molly.

Ann is buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Old Ashby Road, Mason, NH.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 8 at 11:00 am at the Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH.  Join us for a cookout at 7 Central Street following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ann’s name to:  New Hampshire Audubon www.nhaudubon.org or the Peterborough Town Library at www.peterboroughtownlibrary.org.