Anne McShane Adams passed away on September 25, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia after a brief illness. Born in New York City in 1937, Anne was the daughter of Anastasia Regis Phelan and Lloyd Stanley Brown. She grew up among family and friends in Riverdale, New York and spent her childhood summers in the Adirondacks. 

Anne graduated  from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York  as a music and philosophy major in 1958. From 1958 to 1960, Anne advanced her musical studies at Manhattan School of Music. A passionate sportswomen in her youth, Anne enjoyed team sports, riding, tennis and paddle tennis. Anne remained an avid reader and lover of books throughout her life; she was sometimes known to pass on an evening out in favor of a night home with her book . 

Anne’s many talents flourished throughout her multiple careers. As a woman before her time, Anne created opportunities for herself.  She began her career in 1959 in the human resources department of McKinsey & Co. Later, while raising her children, Anne founded a music school in Irvington, New York.  Believing strongly in the value of musical education she taught piano, theory and musicianship with warmth, humor and a true respect for every skill level.  Occasionally she spent a lesson just lending an ear and a kind word to a student. In 1982, Anne resumed her career in business, starting as an analyst for Goldman Sachs & Co. where she later retired as Vice President of Risk Management. She later resumed teaching and became the Director of the Christ Church Children’s School, an early education program in Savannah. 

Throughout her life Anne volunteered her time to many causes, including serving as a board member for the Marymount College Alumnae Association and the Hudson Valley Day Care Center. She was formerly a member of the Junior League of Westchester-on-Hudson and was also a member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. 

Anne is survived by her husband John Randolph Adams whom she married in1986; they shared thirty six devoted and loving years together. She is also survived by her four children Edward McShane (Christine ), John  McShane (Noreen), Stephen McShane (Kazue) and Elizabeth McShane (Mark Muschenheim), her two step children Lindsey Adelman (Ian) and Whitney Ward (Christopher), as well as her eight beloved grandchildren. Anne was predeceased by her first husband Frank B. McShane, her childhood sweetheart, whom she married in 1960. She was also predeceased by her three siblings. 

Anne was a serious person, who also had a keen eye for life’s ironies and a wry sense of humor. She was a woman of style and elegance who truly knew that it is the inside that counts. Among those that knew her well, she will be most remembered for quietly, genuinely  and reliably extending herself to others during life’s most challenging times.

A Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022 at Christ Church Episcopal on Johnson Square.