Anna Lee Fuchs of Westport died March 8 at home. She was 79.
Anna Lee Fuchs: wife of noted Westport illustrator. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed grapic
Born Jan. 9, 1936 in O’Fallon, Ill. to Alma Fries Hesse and Henry M. Hesse, longtime mayor of O’Fallon, she graduated from MacMurray College in 1954. In 1955, she married illustrator Bernard Fuchs, her high school sweetheart. They lived in Detroit before moving to Westport in 1960.
Bernie Fuchs, whose influential work ranged from presidential portraits to classic racing cars, died Sept. 17, 2009. He was 76. (See obituary here)
Anna Lee managed her husband’s illustration business and later, his career as a gallery and children’s book artist. She worked for many years at the Society of Illustrators in New York City, organizing and cataloguing their annual show.
She took great pleasure in donating artwork to many causes and institutions, including, most recently, two paintings to the Westport Schools’ Permanent Art Collection.
She loved playing tennis, going to the beach, traveling and spending time with friends and family. As a lifelong Frank Sinatra fan, she attended more than 20 of his concerts.
She was an enthusiastic photographer and meticulous archivist of her husband’s work and of their travels together, especially images from their favorite place, Italy.
She is survived by her children, Cynthia Fuchs of Washington D.C., Derek Fuchs of Casselberry, Fla., and Ellise Fuchs of Torino, Italy, and also by her granddaughters Zazie Piva, Esme Piva, and Bailey Fuchs.
A private family commemoration was held on March 10. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.
