Ann Fairleigh Denove

Ann Fairleigh Denove passed away on October 24, 2006, in Westlake Village, California. She had been in declining health and suffered a stroke two and a half weeks ago. Ann was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on October 29, 1915, the daughter of Frances Helen June Baker and Robert McLure Fairleigh. The second of four children, a sister and two brothers, she was their last surviving child. Ann's father was a tobacco broker who sold to both Mussolini and Pena; the family warehouse was burned in 1907 by the Nightriders, during a protest over the price of tobacco. She was a proud member of the Kentucky chapter of the Mayflower Society, descended from Richard Warren on her mother's side. Ann was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution by virtue of her descent from Thomas Delano, Jr.

She attended Hopkinsville High School and at that time was the only student from Western Kentucky ever to win the state finals in interpretative speaking. Ann (sorority member of Kappa Alpha Theta) graduated from The College of William and Mary in three years (1936, B.A. in history.) She moved to London where she attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1936 to 1938. While in England, she formed a lifelong friendship with Sir John Templeton, the founder of The Templeton Fund (now Franklin-Templeton,) and The Templeton Prize for religion. When Ann returned to the States, she began her career as a stage actress, appearing in several stock productions before landing the leading role in the coast to coast company of "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" in 1939; during this time she met and married her first husband, actor Maurice Patrick Burke, one of the male leads in the play.

With the outbreak of World War II, Ann left the stage and enlisted in Wave Officer Candidate School, where she was a member of their second graduating class. She served in the Office of Naval Officer Procurement as a lieutenant JG. After the war, she began working with Harper's Bazaar Magazine in New York, selling advertising. It was while making a prospect call that she met her second husband Jack Denove, a vice president at BBDO. They married and a few years later relocated to California where her husband began his career as a Hollywood film producer and director. She spent the next eighteen years juggling motherhood and a career managing her husband's business.

She became a widow in 1968 and eventually moved from Bel Air to Westlake Village with her youngest son in 1974, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was active in community affairs, serving on the Island Management Board and on the Island Homeowners Board. She was an avid golfer and bridge player.

Ann is survived by her daughter from her first marriage, Robin Burke Chasteen Holtzman; her sons Thomas F. Denove, John (Jack) Denove and Chris F. Denove; grandchildren Liam D. Chasteen, Bryan T. Denove, SSG Burke F. Chasteen, Holly Denove Sieber and Christopher S. Denove; and great grandchildren Michael A. Sieber and Gray B. Chasteen.

She was buried next to her husband Jack in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, in a private ceremony on Monday, October 30. She will always be remembered for her Southern charm and sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, Ann has requested that a donation to one's favorite charity would be appreciated.