Anne (Frank) Greene

Anne F. Greene, University Professor of English Emerita at Wesleyan University, passed away on May 12, 2025, owing to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Anne was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 16, 1948, to the late Dr. Howard A. Frank and the late Sally B. Frank. She graduated from Harvard University in 1970, was awarded an M.A. from Brandeis University in 1971 and completed all requirements for a Ph.D. except for the dissertation at Princeton University.

In 1974 Anne began a long career as a member of the faculty at Wesleyan University, was frequently celebrated as a teacher of writing and English and was awarded the Binswanger Prize for excellence in teaching. She created and administered the Writing Workshop, designed, and experienced as a program to assist students improve their writing. Anne gave very generously of her time to students but also to faculty members and writers. She was recognized multiple times for her contributions to articles and books, subjects ranging from medical ethics and science such as volcanology, to screenwriting, nonfiction, and novels. As one author wrote in acknowledgement: “I stand in a long line of authors who deeply respect her opinion and ever will be grateful for her sound counsel and encouragement.”

Anne served over many years as Director of the Wesleyan Writers Conference, an annual gathering of writers and aspiring authors. Wesleyan has honored Anne by creating the Anne Greene Internships in the Literary Arts. Overall, Wesleyan’s robust writing programs today owe much to Anne’s initiatives, contributions, and dedication.

For her family, Anne was a remarkable presence, always loving, understanding, intelligent, elegant, and simply wonderful to be with. She was a gift to be cherished.

Anne is survived by her husband of nearly fifty years, Professor of History Nathanael Greene of Wesleyan University; and by her son Matthew H. Greene of Middletown, Connecticut; her brothers Edward D. Frank II and his wife Susan Lea of Berwyn, Pennsylvania and John B. Frank of Pasadena, California and his wife Diann; her stepson Jeffrey P. Greene of Newton, Massachusetts; her stepson Jonathan N. Greene of Washington, D. C.; her stepdaughter Elizabeth D. Hart of Pelham, New York; and step grandchildren Timothy Hart, Katherine Hart, Alexandra Hart, Bella Greene and Ila Greene.

A celebration of Anne’s life and many contributions will be held in the fall of this year at a date and time to be determined.  To share memories or send condolences, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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