We heard the sad news this week, that Anne Wood died on 22 April. She had been unwell for some while and had been looked after very kindly at Hastings Court Care Home.
Anne was born in July 1937 and would have celebrated her 89th birthday later this year. Her mother was Norwegian and Anne was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. Her father was a Church of England priest and she was a faithful church-goer all her life. She had two younger brothers, who both lived in the Rye area. Jim Underwood (translator) who predeceased Anne, and John Underwood (architect) who still lives in Peasmarsh.
Anne met her husband, Ralph Wood, in London, and they had three children, Sarah, Jo and Matthew. The family moved to Rye in 1964, where Ralph worked as an architect. Anne was always a very community-minded person, and very welcoming of newcomers. She was active in many societies in Rye, as well as the church, raised a lot of money for the NSPCC, and for a while she worked as manager of the Sue Ryder charity shop. In 2019 she was made a Freeman of Rye in honour of her voluntary work and the way she welcomed new people to our town. As well as her three children, she had five grand-children and four great-grandchildren.
Anne’s body, in accordance with her wishes, has been donated to medical education. In due course Anne’s three children will be organising a Memorial Service which anyone would be welcome to attend.
Sandra Lanigan wrote, “Anne became a wonderful friend 12 years ago when we arrived in Rye and I learned true friendship, networking and communication skills. I am mourning the loss of my Rye bestie.”
Celebrating the life of Anne Wood (18 July 1937-22 April 2026). A Memorial service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Rye TN31 7HF on Friday 12 June 2026 at 2.30 pm with tea and cake served in the church after the service. All welcome.
If you have some lovely memories of Anne Wood and wish to share them please email ktbaspect@gmail.com. An in depth article will be written after the Memorial.
Image Credits: Sarah Mitchell .
Anne was one of the first people we met on our visits to Rye decades ago. When we returned each year she would greet us at St. Mary’s as if we were old friends. During my husband’s illness we did not come to Rye for several years, but after he died I returned and she immediately recognized me and gave a warm welcome and an invitation to coffee. Every year after that, I looked forward to her Christmas card with the news of Rye and of her theater-going and other trips. Anne had a great gift for making people feel welcome and for sharing the delights of the town and I am sure there are many others around the world who will remember her as the welcoming face of Rye.
Anne was a lovely, intelligent and worldly woman and will be much missed. She welcomed my family to the High St 15 years ago, and I was very honoured to make a brief cameo appearance in her famous bay window in 2024… For as long as I’ve been in Rye, Anne’s window was like the parish noticeboard, marking the social and cultural pulse of the town. She was a stalwart of the local Liberal Democrats, and on behalf of us all, from Hastings and Rye, I’d like to extend condolences to her family.
Anne was a remarkable lady – always helpful and always friendly. It was a privilege to have known her.
This is such sad news. I once owned a little holiday flat in the Boathouse and my late husband, Peter, and I met Anne one evening at a function at the Landgate Bistro. When Peter died, she was so supportive to me on my visits to Rye and also came to stay with me in London. She had such a depth of knowledge of local history, the arts and the crafts. She had an infectious giggle and a lovely sense of humour. She knew everyone and was a true friend to so many. Anne will be so missed in the community. It was an honour to have known her and to have shared so many good times together. Thank you, dear Anne.