Anne Louise Schwiebert
Anne Louise Schwiebert, Lady Anne de Bivalve to her close friends, died on November 3, 2011, after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Anne was attended by family and East End Hospice at her home in Southold, N.Y. Anne’s family is forever indebted to the wonderful East End Hospice staff, to Ana Chiarella and to Dr. Lloyd Simon for the excellent care and attention she received during her final days.
Anne was born in Jamaica, N.Y., on May 4, 1941. She attended school in Roslyn Heights and then at Friends Academy, Locust Valley, N.Y., from which she graduated in 1959. Her class at Friends was known as the “Master Class” and remained close throughout the ensuing years and life’s challenges.
Anne graduated from Skidmore College in 1963, having majored in art. Following graduation, Anne received a Fulbright Scholarship and studied textile design and weaving in Helsinki, Finland. Anne loved her time in Finland and made several lifelong friends during her stay there.
Following her return to the United States, Anne worked in New York City for several years as a fabric and textile designer for Cone Mills before opening her own business and a shop in Port Washington under the name Needlepointers by Anne Louise, Ltd. Anne reveled in teaching new students — whether young or old — all things needlework-related. Her favorite people were children, with whom she could be childlike herself.
When her parents died in the late 1990s, Anne closed her business and moved to Southold. There, Anne made wonderful new friends, through the Embroiderers Guild of America, Peconic Bay Chapter, Metropolitan Region, EGA, and the Horton Point Lighthouse. Art was Anne’s vocation and she rendered museum-quality designs in three-dimension. Her butterflies and blossoms literally hovered over the canvas.
A significant part of Anne’s focus in recent years was the Lighthouse, which Anne viewed not only as an important piece of local history, but as a symbol of community and friendship. When asked shortly before her death why the Lighthouse held such importance to her, she said, “Because of the people who believed it is worth saving.” While Anne faced the end of her days, she often was heard organizing some function or fretting over a detail that needed tending. Her family assured her that others were taking charge and all would be well. In addition to her work at the Lighthouse, Anne was involved in Community Action Southold Town Inc., Caps for Kids and providing meals for disadvantaged residents in the area.
Anne was predeceased by her parents, Edward H. and Mildred V. Schwiebert. She is survived by her brother, Edward V. (Van) and his wife, Lauren; her niece Kea and her husband, Sean Magnuson, and two boys, Ethan and Hunter; and her nephew Erik and his wife, Catherine, and children Andrew, Rebecca and Justin.
Anne’s mantra during her illness reflected what her family shared with her: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Anne now is at peace beside the still waters she cherished.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in honor of Anne to Horton Point Lighthouse, c/o Southold Historical Society, P.O. Box 1, Southold, NY 11971.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, 51400 Main Road, Southold, N.Y. 11971.
