Anne Louise Gormley Fessenden

Anne Louise Gormley Fessenden, 95, of Auburn, New York, formerly of King Ferry, NY, died April 27, 2026, in Auburn surrounded by family members… all of whom she called “honey.”

Anne was born in Geneseo, NY, January 28, 1931, to Francis and Dorothea Schmid Gormley. She grew up in Auburn, graduating from Holy Family School in 1948. She made lifelong friendships with fellow nursing students at Nazareth College and graduated with a BS and an RN in 1952. After graduation, she was employed by Auburn Memorial Hospital School of Nursing as a clinical instructor.

Anne agreed to a blind date, arranged by her brother Joe with his Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity brother Edwin Fessenden, in the fall of 1952. Anne and Ed were married in Auburn at Holy Family Church on June 19, 1954, shortly after Ed’s graduation from Cornell University. After their honeymoon, they settled in King Ferry, as Ed was operating the family farm with his father, Sam. After marrying, Anne briefly commuted to her teaching position in Auburn before choosing to focus on raising a family of seven children. Throughout, she regularly used her nursing skills to care for them. Anne was a wonderful homemaker and an active member of Our Lady of the Lake parish. She maintained her interest in healthcare as a founding member of the Community Medical Center in Aurora, as a dedicated participant in the Harvard Nurse’s Health Study, which focused on investigation into the risk factors for major chronic diseases for women, as a substitute school nurse, and as a blood drive volunteer.

After her children were grown, she and Ed traveled throughout the US and to Australia with good friends Anne and Dave Floyd. While in Australia, they visited Mary Lou Noble, whom they had hosted as a Rotary Exchange student in the 70s. Anne’s life was devoted to her family, and she will be remembered for her kind heart and always offering a “cold drink.”

Anne was predeceased by her husband Ed in 2014. Anne is survived by her seven children: Elizabeth Fessenden (Ken Fugett) of Richmond, VA; Martha Fessenden of Washington, DC; Timothy Fessenden (Ronda) of King Ferry, NY; Mary Fessenden (David Ruddy) of Ithaca, NY; Mark Fessenden (Denise) of Lansing, NY; John Fessenden (Mariann) of King Ferry, NY; Daniel Fessenden (Marnie) of Union Springs, NY; also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren: Kate McAndrews (Michael McAndrews), Mary and Luke McAndrews of Sauk Centre, MN; Maureen Coats (Macallen Coats), Aubrey and Ethan Coats of King Ferry; Ryan Fessenden (Therese), Clark and Casey Fessenden of King Ferry; Amanda Fessenden (James Farrell), Zoë Farrell of Redondo Beach, CA; Andrew Fessenden (Rachel), Wesley, William, and Margaux Fessenden of Plano, TX; Alyssa Fessenden of Hermosa Beach, CA; Maris Fessenden of Bozeman, MT; Sam Fessenden (Brenda), Hannah, Theresa, Paul, and Clara Fessenden of Elgin, MN; Thomas Fessenden (Catherine), Clarence, Ruth, and Alfred Fessenden of Skaneateles, NY; Sarah Neumeister (Ryan Neumeister) of Derby, VT; Madeleine Fessenden of New York City; Mitchell Fessenden of Chicago, IL.

Anne is survived by three of her six siblings: Dottie Cuddy of Auburn, NY; Helen (John) Reedy of Clinton, MA; and David (Karen) Gormley of Grantham, NH; also survived by several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family extends their thanks to the caring staff at Finger Lakes Center for the Living, Westminster Manor, and Bluefield Manor for the support they provided to Anne.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Shakelton and Brew Funeral Home, 48 South Street, Auburn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 8695 Route 90, King Ferry. Interment will follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Anne are suggested to: King Ferry Food Pantry, P.O. Box 242, King Ferry, NY 13081; and Hazard Library Association, 2487 Route 34B, Poplar Ridge, NY 13139. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anne Louise Gormley Fessenden, please visit our floral store.