Anne W. Adamson, 81


Anne White Adamson, 81, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, died peacefully at Oak Lea Nursing Home on Dec. 14, 2010. Originally, from Newburyport, Mass., Anne was the daughter of the late Hilda and Ralph White.

Anne was a registered nurse, practicing in the operating rooms at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, where she met her husband of 55 years, Dr. Nathaniel E. Adamson Jr., who survives her.

In addition to her husband, Anne is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Marilyn White, of Winchester, Mass.; two sons, Ned Adamson and wife, Susan, of Harrisonburg, and their daughters, Svetlana and AnneMaria; and Barlow Adamson of Waltham, Mass. She is survived by daughter, Laurie McManus and husband, Christopher McManus, of Fairfax, Va., and their children, Paul Ryan, Caitlin, Kelsey and Charles; and an "honorary" daughter, Hope Foley and husband, Mark, of Boston, Mass., and the latest addition to Anne's family, their newly adopted daughter, Georgina.

Anne was an accomplished singer, auditioning and performing with the Handel-Hayden Society in Boston for 33 years. She was especially known for her love and performance of Handel's Messiah each Christmas. She also was gifted in the art of crewel embroidery with pieces of her handiwork on continuous display at Park Street Church in Boston, Mass.

Anne will be greatly missed by the children and grandchildren whom she loved so dearly; but the family is comforted by the assurance that she has no further need for her wheelchair, her sight has been restored, and she will be singing the Hallelujah Chorus in the presence of the Messiah this Christmas.

Burial is at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Portsmouth, Va., on Friday and a private family gathering in her honor will be held in Fairfax, Va., on Sunday.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by www.kygers.com.