Obituary of Ann R. Teeter

Ann Riggs Teeter – May 4, 1927 – February 12, 2022 Born May 4, 1927 the daughter of the late Asher and Louise Riggs of Elmira, Ann Riggs Teeter passed away peacefully at home on February 12, 2022. She was 94. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 65 years, David Teeter, and is survived by her son and daughter-in-law D. Brooks and Ahnece Teeter of Elmira, son Dr. John Teeter of Niantic, Connecticut, daughter-in-law Tess Teeter of Niantic, Connecticut, daughter Lisa Teeter of Berlin, New Jersey, grandchildren Mollie, Rebecca and Matthew Teeter, and great grandsons Robbie and Joey Lewellyn. A life-long student and firm believer in education and civil rights, Ann received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College and was one of only a few women in her graduating class from Cornell University Law School in the early 1950's. She would join the local Elmira branch of the Small Business Administration following the Agnes floods in 1972 and worked in the US Attorney's office out of Syracuse, NY. Ann's true lifelong passion was music. An accomplished pianist who studied with the American composer Myron Fink in New York City, Ann regularly performed with the Elmira Symphony Orchestra. She treasured her baby Steinway Grand Piano, a wedding gift from her husband Dave, serenading household members who would often awaken to the sounds of her early morning practice sessions. She reminded her children that the family had its origins with Bach's Italian Concerto, the piece she played with Dave on their first date. Later in life, she enjoyed playing duets at home with Dave, himself an accomplished musician, and her piano partner Shirley Roe. Ann was a Christian and life-long member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Elmira. She believed in holiday get togethers, summer weekend barbeques, family reunions on Harris Hill, and celebrating her birthday for an entire week. She will be remembered for being open, kind, and welcoming. She leaves behind a lifetime of memories for everyone she touched over her 94 years of life. Her grandchildren will always remember singing and playing along with her on the piano, decorating cookies, annual Christmas meals featuring roast beef and ice cream balls, and the smell of fresh bacon and coffee cake each morning spent in Elmira on Esty Street. A Funeral Service in celebration of Ann's life and legacy will be held at Grace Church, 375 W. Church Street, Elmira, at 1 PM on Friday, February 18. A livestream of the service will be available through the Facebook page for Grace Episcopal Church, www.facebook.com/GraceElmira/live.