Anne Huggins grew up in Livingston, MT, with a strong foundation of a life best lived outdoors, exploring the wonders of nature. For the past 23+ years, she shared her time between Whidbey Island, WA and Patagonia, AZ, getting involved with numerous activities to build community, promote health and wellness, and share kindness and gratitude.
Anne chose a path of wide-ranging life work: as an early childhood educator, helping found an alternative school, opening an integrative medicine clinic, being one of the first licensed massage therapists in Washington and many years as a chef for the women’s writers retreat, Hedgebrook, on Whidbey Island. Befitting her love of being close to nature, she loved backpacking and sleeping under the stars. She was a volunteer teacher at the Outdoor Classroom on Whidbey. She loved clearing trails for the Whidbey Camano LandTrust and mountain biking the trails. She built community by holding yard sales (often giveaways) of her specially collected objects, clothing, and artwork so she could share the story behind each object and watch its energy pass.
Deep listening was one of Anne’s greatest gifts. She always sought opportunities to express appreciation for small kindnesses and other wise unrecognized good deeds. She often kept a pot of “Orphan Stew” on the back burner for anyone in need of a bowl or a sense of community.
Anne Huggins passed gracefully from this world on July 17, 2024 at age 77, from ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her daughters, Jennifer and Monica Huggins, and her life partner, Dan Meyer. She felt abundantly blessed with a rich life and profound love.
Anne Huggins touched countless lives and she leaves the world a better place than she found it. Her life resonates in this poem she chose as a farewell:
“There are things you do because they feel right & they make no sense and they make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good.” – Brian Andreas
Donations in Anne’s name can be made to the Langley Whale Center or the Whidbey Camano Land Trust.
