Ann Smolowe

Ann Smolowe, 51, a former Westport resident and the senior managing director for leadership giving in Dartmouth College's Office of Development, died Aug. 14, 2010, at her home in Norwich, Vt., after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

Born in 1959, Smolowe grew up in Westport, the youngest of four siblings. At Staples High School, she was active in both theater and gymnastics. She then attended Dartmouth College, where as a member of the Class of 1981 she majored in government and competed on the cross-country ski team. After graduation, Smolowe spent three years working for Arthur Levitt at the American Stock Exchange.

She took time off to hike the Appalachian Trail, and although she made the journey solo, she developed life-long friendships along the way. "Ann has lived a series of prodigious feats, whether ice-climbing in Alaska, jumping out of airplanes or shooting rapids in a kayak," said her brother, Alan Smolowe, who joined her for the first 10 days of her Appalachian Trail hike. "She liked to live on the edge and push her limits."

"Ann was a force of nature," said her sister Jill Smolowe. "She radiated a special energy and generosity of spirit that deeply touched everybody who came into contact with her."

The time spent along the trail with her friend, architect James Wasser -- they later announced their engagement and married in 1985.

Over the next 14 years, based first in Massachusetts, then out of Portland, Ore., Smolowe led the corporate market team for Project Adventure, an adventure-based consulting company. "Her courageous nature affected us all at PA as she constantly encouraged us to go for our rightful leadership spot," said Dick Prouty, CEO of Project Adventure. "Ann will always be a brilliant icon in PA history and in my life. She simply breathed learning and quality."

In 2005, Smolowe returned to the Northeast with her husband and their two children to work for the Development Office at Dartmouth College. "Ann engages with everyone she meets in a thoroughly genuine way that builds trust and friendship," said Carrie Pelzel, senior vice president for advancement. "She is a consummate professional and exceptionally effective fundraiser for the college she loves. Ann has made philanthropy a joyful experience for all who have had the privilege to work with her."

After being diagnosed with cancer in September 2008, Smolowe helped to raise cancer research funds for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Hanover, N.H., through the annual Prouty Bike Ride & Challenge Walk. Shortly before her death, she fielded a 185-member team that placed first among team fund-raising efforts, with more than $110,000.

"Ann injected a great deal of inspiration into the Prouty this year," said Gregg Cerveny, co-captain of their Big Green Pazooie team and a Dartmouth colleague. "She raised the bar by setting lofty goals for our team and attracting many new friends to the fight against cancer."

Smolowe is survived by her husband James; a daughter Emily, a senior at Wheaton College; a son Jeremy, a sophomore at Boston University; her parents Richard and Greta Smolowe of Advance, N.C.; two brothers, Alan of Apopka, Fla., and Jonathan of Doylestown, Pa; a sister Jill of Montclair, N.J.; her "nana," Agatha Cash of Wadesboro, N.C.; and five nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will take place at a later date; the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, Vt., assisted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation, 8899 Beverly Blvd., Suite 111, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (www.andreriveroflife.org), or Unlimited Possibilities (UP), P.O. Box 635, Milton, NH 03851 (lbarr1@mac.com).