Anne Brouillard
Anne Brouillard, 82, of Greenport, passed away on Sept. 2, 2026.
Born and raised in Westfield, N.J., Anne was the only daughter among four children. She attended the University of Miami before beginning what would become her life’s greatest work: raising a family. She became a mother at the age of 21, and after her marriage ended a few years later, she devoted herself to raising her two children on her own, moving 14 times over the years while making sure that “home” was always defined by her presence rather than any particular house or town. Twelve years later, she welcomed her third child, Laurel, beginning the journey of motherhood anew.
As her children grew, Anne returned to her lifelong love of art, becoming a devoted painter and sketch artist whose creative spirit shaped every home she made. For the last decade of her life, she lived in a historic 1810 house in Greenport, where she built a close circle of friends and found peace in the sea breeze off the bay.
Anne was known for her directness, her wit, and her fierce loyalty to the people she loved. Friends and family often described her as “one tough cookie” — a straight shooter with no patience for pretense, and a generous, loving heart beneath it all. She remained close friends with her former husband, Jim Wilday, for more than four decades after their divorce, and the two were known for building a large, inclusive family that welcomed parents, stepparents, and extended family alike at every holiday and gathering. Jim passed away this past June, just three months before Anne.
Anne is survived by her three children James “Jimmy” Wilday, LeeAnne Ricker, and Laurel Porter; her eight grandchildren, who knew her as “Grammy B”; and her two dogs, Rodrigo and Jackson.
Private ceremonies will be held to honor Anne’s memory near Greenport, and in York, Maine. A celebration of life will be held later this fall or early winter in Greenport, with details to be announced. Horton Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport is assisting the family.
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