Ann Bailey Arthur

Ann Draper Arthur, known by family and friends by her middle name “Bailey”, 97, died peacefully on February 3, 2022, at Rivermead Retirement Community, in Peterborough, NH.

She was born on May 31, 1924, in Canton, MA to James B. and Helen (Dana) Draper. She attended House in the Pines Preparatory School and graduated from Smith College in 1945. After college Bailey and Bill (William) C. Arthur married on July 13, 1946, after he returned from serving in the Army in WWII.

Bailey was an avid volunteer her entire life. In college she and classmates, organized an acapella singing group that toured veteran’s hospitals in Massachusetts to bring some relief to soldiers injured during WWII. After moving to Worcester, MA with her husband in 1947, she continued her community service with multiple organizations. A lover of art history, she was a docent and volunteer coordinator at the Worcester Art Museum, and Vice President of the Junior League of Worcester. Bailey organized volunteer groups at the YWCA and was very active in the First Unitarian Church of Worcester.

In 1981 Ann and Bill, retired to Jaffrey, NH. There she continued her active life in the Monadnock Garden Club and the First Church in Jaffrey UCC.

Bailey and Bill loved to travel and spent time in Scotland and Wales, many European Countries, the Caribbean, and the western US states. They enjoyed cruising on their 41’ Hatteras around Cape Cod and the coast of Maine, stopping each summer at Five Islands, ME.

She is predeceased by her husband of 71 years, William, her brothers: Dana Draper and his wife Ellie, James Draper and his wife Kay, and her sister Janet Garside and her husband Joseph, and brother-in-law, Dr. James Arthur.

She leaves behind four children: daughters Karen Rickley of Cumberland Maine, Sara Arthur of Tucson Arizona, Janet Arthur of Newington Connecticut, and son Scot (William) Arthur and his wife Susanna of Groton Massachusetts. Five grandchildren, Samuel Rickley, Ann (Rickley) Ritter and her husband Joseph; Christian, Nicholas and Will (William) Arthur; and three great grandchildren. As well as many nieces and nephews, their children, and grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the caring, professional staff at the Rivermead Retirement Community.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in the Spring.