Ann (Burgess Chandler) Morris (1932-2017) died unexpectedly on June 29 of natural causes. She was the first woman coach in the State of Rhode Island to be paid the same as male coaches under Title IX. 

As a teacher and coach in the Warren, RI schools for over 25 years, she coached 15 girls’ state championship teams in cross-country track, gymnastics, and outdoor track and field. She was a member of the Rhode Island Interscholastic league girls’ athletics subcommittee for 28 years and was the league's director of cross-country gymnastics and track for a total of 22 years. She also served on the executive board of the RIGWS and served some time as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 

Her passion for gymnastics led to coaching, judging and running the RI Interscholastic League for decades. She was a nationally-rated judge, attending conferences yearly, and trained many Rhode Island gymnastic judges. She stayed involved for 45 years, coaching championship middle and high school teams and influencing generations of athletes and coaches. 

Ann Morris was honored by numerous organizations. Among her meritorious recognitions and awards: She was inducted into the Halls of Fame at Bridgewater State, the University of Rhode Island, the Town of Warren, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, the Rhode Island Track Coaches Association and the New Agenda Northeast Women's Hall of Fame. At age 71 she was named Rhode Island Female Athlete of the Year. 

An active participant in the Rhode Island Senior Olympics, competing in the 100m, 200m and long jump. She consistently won silver and gold medals and went on to represent Rhode Island in two National Senior Olympic Games, where she won a gold medal in the 100m, a victory she cherished. She was recently awarded the Anna Tucker Cup, given to a Senior Olympian who best exemplifies outstanding characteristics. 

Ann Burgess graduated from Bridgewater State College and remained active in their Alumni Association, participating in many events from Massachusetts to Florida. Her love of physical education and women's sports was developed in her youth and continued at her beloved school. 

Morris raised her family in Barrington, RI, where she was a Girl Scout leader, taught CCD at St. Luke’s Parish, volunteered with the Rhode Island Special Olympics and played Bridge with the same group for over 50 years. She spent nearly every summer of her adult life at Spring River Lake at the family’s cottage, where she enjoyed kayaking, swimming, hiking, water skiing, running, reading and being with her family and friends.

Ann is survived by her husband, Charles E. Morris, and her daughters Terry Converse and her husband Dan of Riverside, Trudy Coleman and her husband Dwight of North Kington, Kim Chandler Vaccaro and her husband Wayne of Yardley, PA, and son Gary Chandler and his wife Joann of Barrington; step-daughter Lisa MacGregor and her husband Don of Punta Gorda, FL, and step- son Gary Morris Jr. and his wife Allison of Fairfax, VA; and the late Jody Scanlon. She has 13 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, and was extremely close to her nieces and nephews. 

Aside from her incredible accomplishments and contributions to sports in the state of Rhode Island, she is remembered by her family, friends, and co-workers as one of the most energetic, loving, warm, embracing (literally,) interesting and compassionate people on earth. 

Visiting hours will be held at the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Rd North Kingstown, RI 02852 on Thursday, July 6 from 4 to 8 pm. A memorial service will be on Friday, July 7 at 10 am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main St. in Wickford, and will be followed by a gathering in her honor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ann Morris Women Athlete Scholarship Fund being set up by her family as recognition of her contribution to girls and women's sports. For information and condolences visit: www.FaganQuinnFuneralHome.com.