Devoted grandmother, art and music lover, athlete, friend

Anne C. Chabre, artist, athlete, art and music lover, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, died at age 89 on December 29, 2024 in Claremont.

Born in Los Angeles, the youngest child and only daughter of Grace Louise Garrison (Whiteford, Carver), Anne attended Third Street Elementary School, John Burroughs Junior High and Los Angeles High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Pomona College in 1956.

She met the love of her life, Frank L. Chabre, surfing the waves of Malibu. They married in 1957. They spent the early years of their marriage in Manhattan Beach and settled in Claremont in 1978, where they lived until their deaths. Together they raised two daughters, Christine and Suzanne.

“Anne was fiercely intelligent, loyal, competitive, and independent,” her family shared. “Gracious, proper and irreverent, she understood the rules perfectly, but didn’t necessarily believe they applied to her. Anne showed her irreverence through her sharp wit and humor. Anne was a passionate advocate for women’s rights and always pushed the boundaries of what was expected of her. Anne strove to be the best and excelled at everything she put her mind to.”

A talented painter and photographer in her own right, she also had a great love for art and art history. She and Frank were both very involved in the Claremont art community. They supported the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art and built deep relationships with many local artists. She expressed her love of music as both an accomplished pianist, longtime member of the Foothill Philharmonic and season ticket holder to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A formidable tennis player, she was a regular fixture at The Claremont Club for many years. The wonderful friendships forged there lasted well beyond the confines of the courts.

“A beautiful person inside and out, Anne connected to all the beauty around her,” her family added. “You could see this in everything and everyone she surrounded herself with. Her wonderful aesthetic sense was expressed in the interiors she curated and the clothes she wore. She had a deep spiritual connection with the natural world. The view of the mountains from her home was a constant source of pleasure and rejuvenation. Her profound connection to the ocean brought her joy and fed her soul.”

She is survived by her daughters Suzanne Chabre (Celeste Demera), and Christine Chabre (Gordon Gannicott); and her beloved grandchildren Evan Gannicott (Sierra Gannicott) and Duncan Gannicott. She is also survived by her beloved caregiver and chosen daughter Evelyn Davis; and granddaughter Jolyn Davis.

“Our family is filled with gratitude for the love and care Anne received from her entire care team who made her last years not just possible, but the very best they could be,” her family said. “We love and cherish every one of you. Anne also leaves a cherished network of friends.”

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 16 at Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art at clmoa.org/donate, or House of Ruth houseofruthinc.org.