The vivacious Ann Elizabeth Lyon-Boutelle died March 24, 2025 at home in Waynesboro, VA, with her loving husband, Andy, nearby. Ann died from complications from being a lifelong diabetic.

She was a highly creative person with a mighty big love for her students, for her country, for the natural world, and for Andy, her best friend and husband.

Born in Charlotte, NC, Ann earned a bachelor of fine arts from UCC-Greensboro from 1971-75, during which she worked constantly in theatre production, including as a principal in the UNC-G Mime Company, touring the state. During this time, she performed the challenging role of Cassandra in The Oresteia at the Kennedy Center.

Moving to New York City in the 1980s, she worked in theatre and taught acting in Saranac Lake, NY, where she met the man who became her best friend and love of her life, Andy Boutelle. From the that time on, it was Ann and Andy. They moved to San Diego, CA, where Ann earned a master's degree in education from National University and began teaching English and theatre at La Jolla High School.

As an actress and director, her commitment to characters and to the craft of theatre brought tears to the eyes of audience members. She was a passionate educator for nearly two decades at La Jolla High. Even after her retirement, Ann's students wrote her letters of appreciation, saying, for instance, "I am so much more creative in my life because of you and your teaching."

After working a long day as a teacher, she worked at night and on weekends with students to rehearse plays, design and build sets, props and costumes; to teach students how to design and use the lighting system. Overseeing the school auditorium, Ann ensured theatrical technology was in place: lights, control boards, cabling, and microphones.

To broaden her students' exposure to the wider world, Ann brought in theatrical experts,  professional dance choreographers and musical theatre directors for special workshops. She organized field trips to local professional theatre performances; arranged student participation in local and state competitions and workshops as well as in the wider district arts events.

"One of the things Ann was most proud of was cofounding the Full Circle Theatre Company with me and two friends in 2000," said Andy. "It was an amazing group that focused on producing challenging plays and giving Ann's students the chance to work onstage with experienced actors. She loved her students and wanted to give them every opportunity to grow."

Ann fully understood the power of theatre to illustrate the pain and triumphs of the human experience in a way that is completely healing, both for those onstage and in the audience. One example is the Full Circle production of Kinder Transport, a docudrama about a train that saved the lives of children of the Holocaust. After the show one night, a Holocaust survivor approached the Boutelles and the cast to tell them that she had been on that train in the 1940s, and what it meant to her to be in the audience to see her story told.

At home, Ann cherished and cared for four cats and four dogs.

"I want to recognize her great love and respect for nature," said Andy, "whether the immensity of the Grand Canyon or the graceful beauty of the Red Rocks of Utah. We also experienced the splendor of the Redwoods, and the gracious beauty of Monterey Bay. And much time was spent at our precious Chollas Lake in San Diego, moments she loved to share with her loving fur-baby, our dog, Marlowe. Ann was truly special and always looking for ways to embrace and share love in the world. She had the biggest heart of anyone I knew."

The family will hold a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either an animal shelter or the local Wayne Theatre.