Obituary for Ann Mechling
With the smell of harvested corn in the air, Ann Fox “Annie” Mechling (Reid) of Chesapeake City passed away peacefully with her son and daughter-in-law by her side Tuesday October 4, 2022 following a brief period of declining health caused by Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Covid. She was seventy-nine years old. Born and raised on Cubs Run Farm outside of Monkton in Harford County, Annie spent the last fifty-four years living on either side of her beloved Bohemia River in Cecil County.
Annie was a vivacious, active, independent, stubborn, and strong-willed woman willing to help anyone, especially the underdog, and always fighting to overcome any hardship she endured. She never gave up or backed down in the face of adversity, and would fight for causes she believed in. Often the loudest one in the room or at a party, she easily made friends with people of all backgrounds who five minutes earlier had been strangers. She had a fabulous sense of humor and could get even the sternest folks to smile, with a joke or a quick dance step. She loved animals, both domestic (her cats) and wild, and was a strong supporter of preserving her treasured farmland.
Annie grew up in a world of debutante balls and horses in the rolling hills of Harford County. Her grandfather, Stuart Olivier, was a well-known newspaper publisher and author, while her mother was a successful horse trainer, and her father a one-time winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup in 1953.
After graduating from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda in 1961, she crisscrossed the country working for a brief time in California, Vermont and on her aunt’s ranch in Montana before settling back in Maryland training and galloping thoroughbred horses. In 1963 she won the Rose Tree Ladies Plate in Newmarket, Virginia.
In 1967 she met Edward Anthony “Ted” Mechling of Bohemia Farm in Earleville, and they were married in June 1968. She and Ted farmed over 600 acres of land on both sides of the Bohemia until Ted tragically lost his life in a car accident in 1974. Though widowed with two small children, through her tenacity and grit Annie continued to farm the 600 acres for several years, becoming one of the only women farmers in the county in a decidedly male world.
A natural born athlete, and fierce competitor, she hated to lose no matter what the competition. Annie starred on her high school basketball team and in her late thirties took up tennis, a sport which became a passion. From never having played, Annie quickly became a force in doubles playing in Cup tennis tournaments throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey while also developing dear and lifelong friendships on the courts. In her fifties she took up running, quickly earning trophies in her age category. Eventually injuries and wear and tear from years of hard work on the farm and riding horses, made her give up two of her great passions, but you could always find her outside riding her bike, doing yardwork or walking.
In her later years, overcoming a fear of flying, Annie traveled to Alaska, and a few countries: Greece, the UK, and Spain, where she loved spending time with her daughter-in law’s family. Despite the language differences, Annie endeared herself into the family with her gracious smile, laugh, and always raising a beer.
In 2014 she lost her eldest son unexpectedly and never fully recovered emotionally from that heartbreaking event. While she struggled at times with mental health issues following his death, she always took solace in hearing about the exploits of her three grandchildren and watching them mature.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Ted, eldest son Ned, older sister Marilyn and brother Mike. She is survived by her son Jesse and his beloved wife Adela, her two granddaughters Charlie and Maddie (Ned), her grandson, “my man” Rafael, her eldest sister, Sally, a niece Sam, and nephew Jon, grandnephews and a grandniece, and numerous friends, and neighbors.
A dear mother, grandmother and friend, she will be missed by many.
A service and celebration of her life will be held in spring 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cecil County Animal Services in her name.
Annie was a vivacious, active, independent, stubborn, and strong-willed woman willing to help anyone, especially the underdog, and always fighting to overcome any hardship she endured. She never gave up or backed down in the face of adversity, and would fight for causes she believed in. Often the loudest one in the room or at a party, she easily made friends with people of all backgrounds who five minutes earlier had been strangers. She had a fabulous sense of humor and could get even the sternest folks to smile, with a joke or a quick dance step. She loved animals, both domestic (her cats) and wild, and was a strong supporter of preserving her treasured farmland.
Annie grew up in a world of debutante balls and horses in the rolling hills of Harford County. Her grandfather, Stuart Olivier, was a well-known newspaper publisher and author, while her mother was a successful horse trainer, and her father a one-time winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup in 1953.
After graduating from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda in 1961, she crisscrossed the country working for a brief time in California, Vermont and on her aunt’s ranch in Montana before settling back in Maryland training and galloping thoroughbred horses. In 1963 she won the Rose Tree Ladies Plate in Newmarket, Virginia.
In 1967 she met Edward Anthony “Ted” Mechling of Bohemia Farm in Earleville, and they were married in June 1968. She and Ted farmed over 600 acres of land on both sides of the Bohemia until Ted tragically lost his life in a car accident in 1974. Though widowed with two small children, through her tenacity and grit Annie continued to farm the 600 acres for several years, becoming one of the only women farmers in the county in a decidedly male world.
A natural born athlete, and fierce competitor, she hated to lose no matter what the competition. Annie starred on her high school basketball team and in her late thirties took up tennis, a sport which became a passion. From never having played, Annie quickly became a force in doubles playing in Cup tennis tournaments throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey while also developing dear and lifelong friendships on the courts. In her fifties she took up running, quickly earning trophies in her age category. Eventually injuries and wear and tear from years of hard work on the farm and riding horses, made her give up two of her great passions, but you could always find her outside riding her bike, doing yardwork or walking.
In her later years, overcoming a fear of flying, Annie traveled to Alaska, and a few countries: Greece, the UK, and Spain, where she loved spending time with her daughter-in law’s family. Despite the language differences, Annie endeared herself into the family with her gracious smile, laugh, and always raising a beer.
In 2014 she lost her eldest son unexpectedly and never fully recovered emotionally from that heartbreaking event. While she struggled at times with mental health issues following his death, she always took solace in hearing about the exploits of her three grandchildren and watching them mature.
She was predeceased by her parents, husband Ted, eldest son Ned, older sister Marilyn and brother Mike. She is survived by her son Jesse and his beloved wife Adela, her two granddaughters Charlie and Maddie (Ned), her grandson, “my man” Rafael, her eldest sister, Sally, a niece Sam, and nephew Jon, grandnephews and a grandniece, and numerous friends, and neighbors.
A dear mother, grandmother and friend, she will be missed by many.
A service and celebration of her life will be held in spring 2023. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cecil County Animal Services in her name.