Anne Nottingham Colonna Rouse Burnette passed away on Monday August 29, roughly two months shy of 100 years old. She was born November 10, 1922 to John William and Myrtle Nottingham Colonna in Hampton, Virginia. She was predeceased by her parents, her first husband John Dashiell Rouse, killed in Korea in 1951, and her son John Dashiell Rouse Jr who passed away in 2017, as well as her two brothers William Colonna Jr. and Richard Alonza Colonna, nephew John William Colonna III and niece Simmie Colonna Marsh.

Her second husband Marcus Clifton Burnette passed away in December 2015, after 57 jolly and loving years of marriage.

Anne is survived by her daughter Sarah Nottingham Burnette Conrad, son-in-law Roger Scott Conrad and three grandchildren: Nathaniel Randolph Conrad, Annlouise Compton Conrad and Clifton Stuart Conrad all of Alexandria, Virginia. She leaves three nephews: David Colonna of Hampton, Virginia, Edward Colonna of Arlington, Virginia, and Rick Colonna of Mont Belvieu, Texas, niece Susan Colonna Osseweyer of Dickinson, Texas, and one cousin Thomas Bartron of Gloucester, Virginia.

Anne was a faithful member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and its former Circle #1, attending regularly up until her last years. She was also a member of the Warwick Garden Club and a master gardener throughout her life. She belonged to the Women’s Golf Association and played the great game for many years. And she loved playing Bridge for even longer. She was an accomplished cook, leaving behind an extensive book of recipes for her family, who never turned down an invitation to her table. One of the things she loved most was baking Christmas cookies, of which she made literally hundreds every year for her lucky family, neighbors and dear friends.

Those of us fortunate enough to have known Anne heard her say often that she had lived a truly blessed life, surrounded by love. More than once, she suffered great loss. But she always found a way to look forward to tomorrow and to be grateful for what she had. A child of the Great Depression who came of age during America’s greatest test in World War II, Anne learned to persevere from a young age, and was always a rock for everyone she loved. She will be sorely missed, and forever cherished.

Anne’s family will host a graveside service at a later date this Fall. Details will be provided to family and friends closer to the date. Remembrances, well wishes and memorial gifts in lieu of flowers can be sent to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia.