Ann Russell Leach of Dracut, MA passed away on May 26th. She was 86 years young. Born on July 3, 1933 in New London, CT, she graduated from Melrose High School. Ann received her BA in English from Tufts University, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude and studied abroad at University of Edinburgh. Ann was a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and a tireless progressive. In her career as a technical editor, she worked for Wang, DEC and Avid. Ann helped her friends by editing their books, including a memoir of a Holocaust survivor. She volunteered with Friends of the Dracut Library, Friends of the Nashua Symphony, Merrimack Valley Achievement Center and the Democratic Party. Ann was a key volunteer of the Massachusetts Interfaith Alliance that represented over 70 interfaith communities and remained a member of the UU Church of Nashua. Her service as a citizen included letters to editors, presidents and Congress, and she donated a little bit to nearly every organization that touched her heart or fired up her sense of justice. She was articulate, compassionate, funny and full of insight. Always the best listener, she developed lifelong friendships and is remembered as non-judgmental and intelligent. Ann never let you underestimate yourself. She loved to travel when and where she could - including Paris, Scotland, California and much of the American West, but the lanes and coast towns of New England were where she found inspiration. She enjoyed Tanglewood with friends, listening to jazz greats like Dave Brubeck and local talents like The New Black Eagle Jazz Band. She always told people that the fireworks around the Fourth of July were for her birthday. Ann is survived by 2 children Russell Leach of Lynnfield; Sharon Leach of San Cristobal, NM, daughter-in-law Gia Leach, and a foster daughter Sharon (Kenneth) Kydd of Chelmsford, grandchildren Dario Leach, Connor Kasper and Gianna Leach and foster grandchildren Gregory and Jenna Kydd. She is predeceased by her former husband Wilfred Leach. See Davis Funeral Home website for more details and to leave a message about Ann. Donations may be made in her name to the Friends of the Dracut Library.