BY LISA HORSCH CLARK

Kind and soft-spoken, yet mighty in her service to Friends of Acadia and our broader community—that is how I will always remember Ann Rockefeller Roberts. A Friends of Acadia board member, honorary trustee, and tireless volunteer, Ann passed away last December at her home in New York, leaving behind a legacy as enduring as the granite coping stones that line Acadia’s carriage roads.

Ann rotated off the board during my first year on staff in 2005, but even in that brief overlap, she made a lasting impression. What began as a professional connection quickly blossomed into a two-decade-long collaboration rooted in shared purpose and mutual respect.

Ann was more than a supporter—she was a steward, a storyteller, and a source of inspiration. She hosted events, gave lectures, offered challenge gifts to rally others, and most meaningfully to me, shared her deep, firsthand knowledge of the park, the carriage roads, and her extraordinary family’s role in shaping Acadia and other preserved lands.

Her involvement with Friends of Acadia began in 1989 with a gift to support our operations. Over the years, her generosity touched nearly every corner of our work—from the restoration of the carriage roads to the Acadia Trails Forever initiative (she had a special fondness for the west side trails), the Annual Benefit, and the Second Century Campaign. But it was her willingness to go beyond financial support—to offer her time, wisdom, and personal connections—that truly set her apart.

When Ann published “Mr. Rockefeller’s Roads: The Untold Story of Acadia’s Carriage Roads and Their Creator” in 1990, she donated the proceeds to Friends of Acadia. She also gifted us copies of a special edition of the book—exquisitely bound and deeply meaningful—which we share with members as a unique token of appreciation. In everything she did, Ann gave more than was asked, and always with grace.

One of my most cherished memories with Ann was a 2009 journey into the park with Friends of Acadia members. That day, Ann served as a narrator on one of three horse-drawn carriages that carried guests through the park.

Thanks to her thoughtful planning, the ride ended atop Barr Hill, at the site of her grandfather’s home, the Eyrie. There, on the terrace overlooking Seal Harbor and Bracy Cove, we shared a beautiful lunch and listened as Ann spoke with quiet authority about the carriage roads and the importance of protecting Acadia for future generations.

Ann’s legacy is etched into the very landscape of Acadia—its trails, its roads, and the community that cherishes them. Her quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering commitment to conservation left an indelible mark not only on Friends of Acadia but on all who had the privilege to know her. Whether guiding a carriage, recounting her grandfather’s vision, or inspiring others to give back, Ann did so with humility and a deep love for this place.

As we walk the carriage roads she helped preserve or pause at a west side trailhead she held dear, we are reminded of her enduring spirit. Ann Rockefeller Roberts was more than a steward of the past—she was a beacon for Acadia’s future. Her memory will continue to guide and inspire us, just as surely as the roads she loved continue to wind through the heart of the park.

Thank you, Ann, for everything.

LISA HORSCH CLARK serves as the Vice President of Development at Friends of Acadia.