Annie Lind Waitz

Annie Lind Waitz, 93, died Jan. 28 at her home in Cutchogue, with family at her bedside.

A direct descendant of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, she worked at North Fork Head Start during its early years and founded and directed Lamb’s Gate Nursery School in Southold. She was instrumental in bringing Suffolk County Community College, Eastern Campus, to Riverhead, where she became an adjunct professor of early childhood education.

For her efforts on Long Island during the Korean War to collect clothing for the people of Korea, that country’s ambassador to the United Nations presented her with honorary Korean citizenship.

According to family, she was a dedicated homemaker, musician, gardener and author. She is remembered as being a peacemaker, a lover of beauty and generous beyond measure. Family said that her spontaneous love of life, home and family will be an enduring legacy to all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 72 years, Lawrence T. Waitz, who is 100 years old; her children, Sarah Ann Benjamin, Laurie and Thomas; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were made by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.