Ann Nay

Ann Savage Nay, loving wife of Jerry Nay for 71 years, passed away Sept. 10, 2026, at her home in Lexington.

Ann was born on Sept. 22, 1931, in Washington, D.C., and was the adopted daughter of Carlton Raymond Savage and Beth Godbold Savage and stepmother Shirley Payne Low. She was sister to Paul Low. Ann attended Michigan State University for her freshman year, and then moved with her family to Williamsburg where she attended the College of William and Mary, and began her conversion as a “southerner.” Ann worked as a hostess for Colonial Williamsburg and later as a flight hostess for Capital Airlines in Washington, D.C.

Ann married Jerry Nay in historic Bruton Parish (Episcopal) Church on June 5, 1955. They were an Air Force family for the next 22 years, living in Texas; Paris, France; Georgia; Alabama; New York; and several places in Virginia, before finally settling in Lexington. As an Air Force wife, Ann enjoyed living in many different places around the United States. However, living close to Paris for three years was one of the highlights of her life.

After Ann and Jerry moved their family to Lexington in 1975, Ann went to work as the vice president of Professional Business Management of Virginia. In addition to caring for her family, she filled her days volunteering for her beloved Lexington community, serving on the Board of Trustees of Woods Creek Montessori School, the United Way review board, the Lexington Board of Elections and Talking Books, a public library service for the visually impaired. Ann also co-chaired a major capital fundraising effort for Rockbridge Regional Library and chaired an annual fundraising drive for Stonewall Jackson Hospital. She generously gave over 30 years as a Hospice volunteer. Ann also helped as a tutor for the Children’s Literacy Program under the auspices of the Rockbridge Regional Library.

Ann belonged to the Herb Guild, the Rockbridge Historical Society, and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. She served as the chair of the Stonewall Jackson Cemetery Committee, and she was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington. Known to friends and family as an avid gardener, Ann’s garden was admired by all who passed by. She was a member of the Natural Bridge Garden Club for over 40 years. Ann said, “I am at my best when I work in the garden.”

Ann’s greatest joy was raising her four children. She will be lovingly remembered by Mark Nay (Maureen), Kent Nay, Anna-Lisa Nay Fitzgerald (Wayne) and Suzanne Nay Savage; her grandchildren, John Nay and James Nay, Emily, Jerry and Laurel Nay, and Dylan Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren, David and Vivian Nay, Lucy Nay, and Edith, Esther and Eleanor Fitzgerald; and her nieces Holly Low Reed and Lee Hannah Low and nephews Will Low and Stewart Low.

In lieu of flowers, and with gratitude to all of her family and friends, please consider making a donation to the Children’s Literacy Program at the Rockbridge Regional Library, the Rockbridge SPCA of Lexington, or to Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington.