Co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Anne served as their president until late 2004.
Anne Nicol Gaylor, 88, Madison "Lucie Anne" Nicol, Nov. 25, 1926, was born at home in rural Tomah, Wis., to Lucie Sowle Nicol, a former schoolteacher, and Jason Theodore Nicol, an educated farmer who managed a cooperative grain and feed store.
Anne, 88, died June 14 at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg, following care at UW Hospital, after falling May 30 at her apartment at Attic Angels Independent Living.
Anne's mother, who traced lineage to George Soule, a carpenter (not Pilgrim) on the Mayflower, died when Anne was almost two. She had three older brothers: Jason and Bob (who preceded her in death) and Tom, nearly 90, living in Baudette, Minn., with his wife, Alice.
Anne attended a one-room schoolhouse, beginning first grade at age four, graduated from eighth grade in 1939, and from Tomah High School at age 16 in 1943. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1949 with an English degree, financing her education through room and board and summer waitressing. Anne's father died when she was 19.
She met her husband, Paul Joseph Gaylor, in Kansas City, Mo., while traveling for work. They married in his hometown, Springfield Mo., Dec. 29, 1949, and eventually settled in Madison, Wis. Andrew Joseph was born Oct. 30, 1952, twins Ian Stuart and Annie Laurie Nov. 2, 1955, and Jamie Lachlan Feb. 11, 1958.
Anne opened the first temporary office help service in Madison in 1958, and with a partner, the city's first private employment agency in 1959. After selling the successful business in 1966, she and her husband published the Middleton Times-Tribune for three years. She founded the Wisconsin Committee to Legalize Abortion, served as vice-president central of the National Abortion Rights Action League (1972-1978), and started several other groups. Her book, "Abortion Is a Blessing" (1975), documented Wisconsin's campaign to legalize abortion. In 1972, she, Robert and Peg West, founded the Women's Medical Fund charity, which she administered for more than 40 years as a volunteer until March 2015, helping more than 20,000 indigent women pay for abortions.
In 1976, she, her daughter and a friend created the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Anne serving as its feisty president until late 2004. Her book of essays is "Lead Us Not Into Penn Station". She received several national and state awards, but enjoyed most being voted Isthmus' tongue-in-cheek "Favorite Religious Leader".
Special achievements include initiating the recall movement of Judge Archie Simonson, suing Ronald Reagan for declaring 1983 "The Year of the Bible", suing to compel an attorney general to remove Wisconsin's name from an antiabortion Supreme Court brief, overturning Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday and helping save "Forward" at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Her beloved husband died May 2011. Anne sold the family home in Nakoma in June 2011. Son Andy co-owns Frugal Muse Bookstore, Ian is a 5th grade teacher in Verona, Jamie is a printer in Portland, and Annie Laurie is co-president of FFRF with husband Dan Barker. Anne's daughters-in-law are Lisa Strand, Nancy McClements and Carrie Gaylor, and granddaughters are Lily Gaylor, 13, and Sabrina Gaylor, 25. Anne's also survived by her lifelong friend Isabel (Purdy) Regan, Calif.
Anne requested cremation, no memorial service, and to be buried in the Nicol family plot in Sparta, Wis. She specified a small tombstone reading "Feminist -- Activist -- Freethinker." She was always a gentle, generous, loving, wise and supportive presence to her family, and worked to better the world. Remembrances will help others at Women's Medical Fund, PO Box 248, Madison WI 53701 or for a scholarship in Anne's name, to FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701.
Services entrusted to Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, Madison.
Anne Nicol Gaylor, 88, Madison "Lucie Anne" Nicol, Nov. 25, 1926, was born at home in rural Tomah, Wis., to Lucie Sowle Nicol, a former schoolteacher, and Jason Theodore Nicol, an educated farmer who managed a cooperative grain and feed store.
Anne, 88, died June 14 at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg, following care at UW Hospital, after falling May 30 at her apartment at Attic Angels Independent Living.
Anne's mother, who traced lineage to George Soule, a carpenter (not Pilgrim) on the Mayflower, died when Anne was almost two. She had three older brothers: Jason and Bob (who preceded her in death) and Tom, nearly 90, living in Baudette, Minn., with his wife, Alice.
Anne attended a one-room schoolhouse, beginning first grade at age four, graduated from eighth grade in 1939, and from Tomah High School at age 16 in 1943. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1949 with an English degree, financing her education through room and board and summer waitressing. Anne's father died when she was 19.
She met her husband, Paul Joseph Gaylor, in Kansas City, Mo., while traveling for work. They married in his hometown, Springfield Mo., Dec. 29, 1949, and eventually settled in Madison, Wis. Andrew Joseph was born Oct. 30, 1952, twins Ian Stuart and Annie Laurie Nov. 2, 1955, and Jamie Lachlan Feb. 11, 1958.
Anne opened the first temporary office help service in Madison in 1958, and with a partner, the city's first private employment agency in 1959. After selling the successful business in 1966, she and her husband published the Middleton Times-Tribune for three years. She founded the Wisconsin Committee to Legalize Abortion, served as vice-president central of the National Abortion Rights Action League (1972-1978), and started several other groups. Her book, "Abortion Is a Blessing" (1975), documented Wisconsin's campaign to legalize abortion. In 1972, she, Robert and Peg West, founded the Women's Medical Fund charity, which she administered for more than 40 years as a volunteer until March 2015, helping more than 20,000 indigent women pay for abortions.
In 1976, she, her daughter and a friend created the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Anne serving as its feisty president until late 2004. Her book of essays is "Lead Us Not Into Penn Station". She received several national and state awards, but enjoyed most being voted Isthmus' tongue-in-cheek "Favorite Religious Leader".
Special achievements include initiating the recall movement of Judge Archie Simonson, suing Ronald Reagan for declaring 1983 "The Year of the Bible", suing to compel an attorney general to remove Wisconsin's name from an antiabortion Supreme Court brief, overturning Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday and helping save "Forward" at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Her beloved husband died May 2011. Anne sold the family home in Nakoma in June 2011. Son Andy co-owns Frugal Muse Bookstore, Ian is a 5th grade teacher in Verona, Jamie is a printer in Portland, and Annie Laurie is co-president of FFRF with husband Dan Barker. Anne's daughters-in-law are Lisa Strand, Nancy McClements and Carrie Gaylor, and granddaughters are Lily Gaylor, 13, and Sabrina Gaylor, 25. Anne's also survived by her lifelong friend Isabel (Purdy) Regan, Calif.
Anne requested cremation, no memorial service, and to be buried in the Nicol family plot in Sparta, Wis. She specified a small tombstone reading "Feminist -- Activist -- Freethinker." She was always a gentle, generous, loving, wise and supportive presence to her family, and worked to better the world. Remembrances will help others at Women's Medical Fund, PO Box 248, Madison WI 53701 or for a scholarship in Anne's name, to FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701.
Services entrusted to Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, Madison.
Co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Anne served as their president until late 2004.
Anne Nicol Gaylor, 88, Madison "Lucie Anne" Nicol, Nov. 25, 1926, was born at home in rural Tomah, Wis., to Lucie Sowle Nicol, a former schoolteacher, and Jason Theodore Nicol, an educated farmer who managed a cooperative grain and feed store.
Anne, 88, died June 14 at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg, following care at UW Hospital, after falling May 30 at her apartment at Attic Angels Independent Living.
Anne's mother, who traced lineage to George Soule, a carpenter (not Pilgrim) on the Mayflower, died when Anne was almost two. She had three older brothers: Jason and Bob (who preceded her in death) and Tom, nearly 90, living in Baudette, Minn., with his wife, Alice.
Anne attended a one-room schoolhouse, beginning first grade at age four, graduated from eighth grade in 1939, and from Tomah High School at age 16 in 1943. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1949 with an English degree, financing her education through room and board and summer waitressing. Anne's father died when she was 19.
She met her husband, Paul Joseph Gaylor, in Kansas City, Mo., while traveling for work. They married in his hometown, Springfield Mo., Dec. 29, 1949, and eventually settled in Madison, Wis. Andrew Joseph was born Oct. 30, 1952, twins Ian Stuart and Annie Laurie Nov. 2, 1955, and Jamie Lachlan Feb. 11, 1958.
Anne opened the first temporary office help service in Madison in 1958, and with a partner, the city's first private employment agency in 1959. After selling the successful business in 1966, she and her husband published the Middleton Times-Tribune for three years. She founded the Wisconsin Committee to Legalize Abortion, served as vice-president central of the National Abortion Rights Action League (1972-1978), and started several other groups. Her book, "Abortion Is a Blessing" (1975), documented Wisconsin's campaign to legalize abortion. In 1972, she, Robert and Peg West, founded the Women's Medical Fund charity, which she administered for more than 40 years as a volunteer until March 2015, helping more than 20,000 indigent women pay for abortions.
In 1976, she, her daughter and a friend created the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Anne serving as its feisty president until late 2004. Her book of essays is "Lead Us Not Into Penn Station". She received several national and state awards, but enjoyed most being voted Isthmus' tongue-in-cheek "Favorite Religious Leader".
Special achievements include initiating the recall movement of Judge Archie Simonson, suing Ronald Reagan for declaring 1983 "The Year of the Bible", suing to compel an attorney general to remove Wisconsin's name from an antiabortion Supreme Court brief, overturning Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday and helping save "Forward" at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Her beloved husband died May 2011. Anne sold the family home in Nakoma in June 2011. Son Andy co-owns Frugal Muse Bookstore, Ian is a 5th grade teacher in Verona, Jamie is a printer in Portland, and Annie Laurie is co-president of FFRF with husband Dan Barker. Anne's daughters-in-law are Lisa Strand, Nancy McClements and Carrie Gaylor, and granddaughters are Lily Gaylor, 13, and Sabrina Gaylor, 25. Anne's also survived by her lifelong friend Isabel (Purdy) Regan, Calif.
Anne requested cremation, no memorial service, and to be buried in the Nicol family plot in Sparta, Wis. She specified a small tombstone reading "Feminist -- Activist -- Freethinker." She was always a gentle, generous, loving, wise and supportive presence to her family, and worked to better the world. Remembrances will help others at Women's Medical Fund, PO Box 248, Madison WI 53701 or for a scholarship in Anne's name, to FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701.
Services entrusted to Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, Madison.
Anne Nicol Gaylor, 88, Madison "Lucie Anne" Nicol, Nov. 25, 1926, was born at home in rural Tomah, Wis., to Lucie Sowle Nicol, a former schoolteacher, and Jason Theodore Nicol, an educated farmer who managed a cooperative grain and feed store.
Anne, 88, died June 14 at Agrace Hospice, Fitchburg, following care at UW Hospital, after falling May 30 at her apartment at Attic Angels Independent Living.
Anne's mother, who traced lineage to George Soule, a carpenter (not Pilgrim) on the Mayflower, died when Anne was almost two. She had three older brothers: Jason and Bob (who preceded her in death) and Tom, nearly 90, living in Baudette, Minn., with his wife, Alice.
Anne attended a one-room schoolhouse, beginning first grade at age four, graduated from eighth grade in 1939, and from Tomah High School at age 16 in 1943. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1949 with an English degree, financing her education through room and board and summer waitressing. Anne's father died when she was 19.
She met her husband, Paul Joseph Gaylor, in Kansas City, Mo., while traveling for work. They married in his hometown, Springfield Mo., Dec. 29, 1949, and eventually settled in Madison, Wis. Andrew Joseph was born Oct. 30, 1952, twins Ian Stuart and Annie Laurie Nov. 2, 1955, and Jamie Lachlan Feb. 11, 1958.
Anne opened the first temporary office help service in Madison in 1958, and with a partner, the city's first private employment agency in 1959. After selling the successful business in 1966, she and her husband published the Middleton Times-Tribune for three years. She founded the Wisconsin Committee to Legalize Abortion, served as vice-president central of the National Abortion Rights Action League (1972-1978), and started several other groups. Her book, "Abortion Is a Blessing" (1975), documented Wisconsin's campaign to legalize abortion. In 1972, she, Robert and Peg West, founded the Women's Medical Fund charity, which she administered for more than 40 years as a volunteer until March 2015, helping more than 20,000 indigent women pay for abortions.
In 1976, she, her daughter and a friend created the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Anne serving as its feisty president until late 2004. Her book of essays is "Lead Us Not Into Penn Station". She received several national and state awards, but enjoyed most being voted Isthmus' tongue-in-cheek "Favorite Religious Leader".
Special achievements include initiating the recall movement of Judge Archie Simonson, suing Ronald Reagan for declaring 1983 "The Year of the Bible", suing to compel an attorney general to remove Wisconsin's name from an antiabortion Supreme Court brief, overturning Wisconsin's Good Friday holiday and helping save "Forward" at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
Her beloved husband died May 2011. Anne sold the family home in Nakoma in June 2011. Son Andy co-owns Frugal Muse Bookstore, Ian is a 5th grade teacher in Verona, Jamie is a printer in Portland, and Annie Laurie is co-president of FFRF with husband Dan Barker. Anne's daughters-in-law are Lisa Strand, Nancy McClements and Carrie Gaylor, and granddaughters are Lily Gaylor, 13, and Sabrina Gaylor, 25. Anne's also survived by her lifelong friend Isabel (Purdy) Regan, Calif.
Anne requested cremation, no memorial service, and to be buried in the Nicol family plot in Sparta, Wis. She specified a small tombstone reading "Feminist -- Activist -- Freethinker." She was always a gentle, generous, loving, wise and supportive presence to her family, and worked to better the world. Remembrances will help others at Women's Medical Fund, PO Box 248, Madison WI 53701 or for a scholarship in Anne's name, to FFRF, PO Box 750, Madison WI 53701.
Services entrusted to Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, Madison.
