Anne Thayer, 78, of Hagerstown, MD passed away September 21, 2025, with her family by her side. She is now in heaven with her Savior, Jesus.

She was born to the late Charles and Edna Watkins, March 25, 1947, in Hagerstown, MD. Anne graduated from North Hagerstown High School in 1965 and received a BA in French and Secondary Education from Wittenberg University in 1969. Later in life Anne got her M.S. in School Library Media from McDaniel College in 2003.

She was married to the late Robert Richards in 1969 and later to James Rhodes. In 1992, she married the late Donald Ray Thayer, Jr. and they lived in Hagerstown, MD. Anne is survived by her brother, Daniel Watkins, of Hagerstown and three children: Rhonda Richards (Andi), of Rockville; Elliot Richards (Susann) of Chambersburg; and Susannah Hoffman (Eric) of Chambersburg. She is also survived by her grandchildren Ethan Richards, Joanna and Nathan Hoffman. Anne was predeceased by her loving husband Don in 2010.

She worked to pass on her love of books and reading through her profession and her volunteerism. Anne dedicated her life to helping youth with reading and educating in the library sector. She worked as an associate librarian at the Washington County Free Library's branches in Hagerstown and Smithsburg. She then went on to work at Hood College as the Circulation Manager from 1984-2001. She also worked at Saint Maria Goretti High School as the media specialist from 2001 to 2006. She was a member of the High School Reading Committee for the Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards.

In her free time, Anne enjoyed reading books of many varieties. She also enjoyed watching Baltimore Orioles games and Hallmark Channel movies. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter Susannah's Girl Scout Troop. Anne had a love for horses all her life. She enjoyed Bible study and praying for others.

Anne's family thanks her friends for their visits and prayers for her and our family in her last days. We also thank the staff in the Bowman Center (memory care) at Fahrney Keedy and Hospice of Washington County who have been attentive to her and providing good care.

The family will accept visitors at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 East Wilson Boulevard, Hagerstown, MD, on September 24, 2025, from 6-8pm. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Anne's memory to Washington County Free Library, 100 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740 or to Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. For donations to Trinity, note if they are for the Literacy Council of Washington County or Trinity Music Concert Series.