In Memory of Ann Breen
It is with heavy heart that the Waterfront Center announces the passing of its co-founder and co-director, Ann Breen, on Friday, January 7, 2022, after a brief illness.
Born in Philadelphia to John and Mary Mallon Breen,
Ann graduated from Sacred Heart Academy of Bryn Mawr, and went on to earn her
undergraduate degree at Trinity College and Masters in Urban and Regional
Planning from George Washington University, both in Washington, D.C. Throughout
her life, she remained a loyal alumna of Camp Jeanne D’Arc and maintained
lifelong friendships that started there. She also attended London School of
Economics while in England.
Following eight years as the Waterfront Coordinator
for the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Office of Coastal Zone Management, Ann had the vision to co-found the Waterfront
Center in November, 1981 with Dick Rigby; she served as its co-director for 41
years. Through the Center, she traveled the world providing community
consulting; in 1981, organized an industry-leading annual conference; and ran an
annual juried awards program to recognize outstanding plans and projects. In
2018, the American Society of Landscape Architects named Ann as an Honorary
Member, their highest honor for non-landscape architects. She co-authored three
books with Dick Rigby: WATERFRONTS: Cities Reclaim Their Edge
(McGraw-Hill, 1994); The New Waterfront (Thames and Hudson, 1996); and
Intown Living: A Different American Dream (Praeger Publishers, 2004).
Ann held an equal passion for celebrating life with
good friends and good food. Her love of Cape May began with childhood family
vacations, and for the last three decades, she spent summers and many New Year’s
celebrations there. She remained a loyal friend to many from all parts of her
life and was well-known for the parties she hosted. She was quick with a good
story, a smile, and a laugh. Ann expressed her deep affinity for art and art
history through collecting art, supporting artists, and creating her own
photography of cities around the world.
Most important to her was her family. Ann is dearly
missed and forever loved by her family, which includes her partner of 43 years,
Dick Rigby; children John Cowey; Sara Cowey (and Bruce Solomon); David Cowey
(and Jody Handley); Catherine Cowey (and Andy Springer); four grandchildren;
stepchildren Chris Rigby; Nan Rigby (and Lou McBryan); and Betsy Rigby (and Andy
Meyer); six step-grandchildren; her cousins; and many dear friends across the
country.
Ann’s celebration of life is being planned for the
spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are
suggested to Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc.,
HERE, or Southern
Poverty Law Center, https://www.splcenter.org/
Send remembrances to The Waterfront Center, PO Box 53351,
Washington, DC 20009
e-mail: mail@waterfrontcenter.org
A History of the Waterfront Center
The Center promotes excellence in waterfront planning and design with conferences, awards to outstanding plans and projects, books and booklets, and a website and an online newsletter. The Center also provides community consulting to provide a balanced view of waterfront development. See the link "About TWC" for more information
Excellence on the Waterfront 2021 Award Winners
FOUR WAYS TO VIEW
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To enter queries into the search engine go HERE
To see a movie and text about the search engine go HERE
These are examples of Excellence on the Waterfront award winners. The full collection can be searched HERE
Top Honor Award Winners
Since 1987 the Waterfront Center has given awards to waterfront projects of outstanding excellence. For more information click "Conference" and "Awards".
The pictures below show the top honor award winners of the last fifteen years. Click pictures for more on award winners.
In the River Action Inc. Eddy Magazine
