Ann is truly one of Needham’s “unsung heroes” and has been quietly serving our community since she moved to Needham with her husband, Ed, in 1971. When they decided to raise their family here their son Ted was a year old and their daughter Katie was born shortly afterwards. Ann was proud that their daughter was born at the Glover Hospital shortly before the maternity ward there was closed. Her first Needham volunteer work came through her childrens’ activities. Ann was a Cub Scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader at Camp Malcolm, and was a member and officer of the PTC at the following schools: Dwight-Highland, High Rock, Pollard and Needham High School. She was the chair of the Dwight closing ceremony and a library volunteer for many years. She became a member of the Needham Education Foundation in its second year of operations and served on that board for 18 years.

Ann has been very active at her church in several areas. She was president of the St. Joseph’s Guild for many years and was a long time vice president of the Parish Council. Ann was responsible for the Guild’s Hospitality program, chaired the Christmas Bazaar, and worked at the bazaar for several years. Ann has also served many years as a Eucharist Minister.

Ann is on the Advisory Board at St. Patrick’s School in Roxbury. She was a kindergarten teacher at St. Patrick’s for 22 years, retiring almost 3 years ago. In honor of her devotion to St. Patrick’s School, after her retirement from teaching there she was invited to serve on their Advisory Board. Ann also tutors kindergarten and first grade students at St. Patrick’s two times a week on a volunteer basis.

In our Needham community Ann served on the Needham 300 Committee helping to organize the social events during that major celebration in town. She is currently a member of the Needham Exchange Club and served last year as one of the 4th of July tri chairs, a job she did so well that she is a tri chair again this year. She has served on several other Exchange Club committees including the Veterans Day committee which organizes activities in honor of our local veterans.

Ann has served as a Town Meeting Member for 15 years. She is very proud to be the organizer of the longest continuing block party in Needham which she chaired for 25 years. This year will be the Laurel Drive neighborhood’s 40th block party.

Ann says one of the most rewarding things that she does currently is volunteering at Rosie’s Place where she helps to cook food and serve meals to the women there. We are very lucky to have Ann Cosgrove as one of our own!