Elizabeth Ann Hinckley Romish passed away on October 24, 2022 surrounded by her family in their home. She is survived by her husband John H. Romish and 5 children, John Andrew, Lisa, Rebecca, Thomas and Sarah, son-in-law Eddie Mui and granddaughter Mia. Ann was born to John and Elizabeth Hinckley on September 7, 1934 in Boston, Massachusetts. Ann was the third girl in a family of four daughters. She matriculated through the Belmont, Massachusetts public schools. She continued her studies and graduated from Simmons College in Boston. Upon her completion, she went to Europe with girlfriends and during their travels arrived in Vienna, Austria at the time of the Hungarian Revolution. Swept up in the action, she volunteered at the United Nations processing Hungarian refugees in Vienna. After coming home for a short time, she was asked to return to Yugoslavia and help in processing refugees in that country. On her return, she served a mission in the Pacific Northwest for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for a year and a half.
She met her husband John between one of the trips abroad and they married in 1960. For the first years of marriage, they lived abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. They traveled as much as possible around Europe exploring the sites sounds and architecture. They returned to the states and settled in Belmont, Massachusetts and had five children. Their first child, John Andrew, was born deaf but it wasn’t discovered until he was a year old. This event started Ann’s passion and interest in special needs children. After the birth of her other four children, she went back to school and pursued a masters in Special Education at Boston State.
In 1979 Ann moved across the country with her family to Portland, Oregon. She began teaching in the Portland Public Schools. Her passion for education and love of children is where she thrived and excelled. She eventually became the Student Management Specialist at Jackson Middle School. She enjoyed working with rowdy kids and helping them navigate the tough middle school years. In 2000 she was recognized and received the Excellence in Education Award from NBA Portland Blazers and Portland Public School foundation. As an extrovert, she loved people and help them along the way with quick responses, suggestions to improve, books, food and chocolate kisses.
Upon retirement, John and Ann moved to Seattle to be closer to their oldest child, John Andrew. She served in many capacities in the church throughout her life. She also volunteered at Seattle Children’s hospital to help and support families with sick children from all corners of the northwest. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name at Seattle Children’s hospital.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, November 5th at 1:00pm
LDS Church
5701 8th Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98105