New England College Mourns the Loss of Athena Anne Sayce, Longtime Friend of the College

Henniker, N.H. – New England College (NEC) is saddened by the loss of Athena Anne Sayce, who passed away August 21.

Anne became part of the New England College community in 1968 when her husband, Montford “Bunny” Sayce, joined the College’s faculty as a political science professor. During their 30 years at NEC, Anne and Bunny devoted themselves to NEC students, opening their home to students and acting as surrogate parents. Many of the students who received Anne and Bunny’s warmth and kindness called themselves “Sayceans” and remained lifelong friends of Anne’s.

For two years in the mid-1970s, Anne served as the admission director for NEC’s campus in Arundel, England, while Bunny served as the campus director. She founded Friends of the NEC Library, which continues in its work to enhance the facilities, resources, and capabilities of the Library for the benefit of the College and neighboring communities.

Anne earned her BA in English Literature from the College in 1974 and her master’s in counseling from the University of New Hampshire. She went on to become a nationally certified counselor with a focus on career counseling and designed career-related courses for NEC, Keene State College, and the School for Lifelong Learning.

Anne Sayce pictured in the New England College yearbook.

“Anne and Bunny truly embodied the NEC spirit of welcoming everyone and serving the community,” stated Dr. Wayne F. Lesperance Jr., President of NEC. “We were sad to hear of Anne’s passing, but we take comfort in knowing that the values she and Bunny brought to NEC live on.”

Several years after Bunny suffered a stroke, Anne moved from Henniker to Hopkinton. After he passed away in 2012, she moved to a senior community in Concord. Wherever she went, Anne shared her kindness and joy with others.