Annette Eysaman Withington, 91, of Lander, Wyoming, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at home on the evening of November 19, 2025, with her beloved daughter Cindy at her side.
Annette was born on January 5, 1934, in Little Falls, NY. She grew up surrounded by extended family, but suffered the loss of her mother at 14. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1952, where her lifelong love of skiing began—learning on borrowed skis on the hill across from her home and continuing to ski until the age of 91!
Annette went on to earn a degree in Physical Therapy from Tufts University, Bouve-Boston School of Physical Education, in 1956. She later earned a permanent certificate from the New York State Department of Education in Nursery School through Grade 6, and in Physical Education and Hygiene for all grades, at times working as a physical education teacher and substitute teacher. Among her early accomplishments was establishing the Department of Physical Therapy at Little Falls Hospital. She worked in hospitals, schools, and home health over the years, treating hundreds of patients, helping them regain strength and independence after injuries, strokes, and illness.
Annette met the love of her life, Arthur Withington, at a ski club meeting—a fitting beginning for a couple who shared a passion for outdoor adventure. After a memorable ski club trip to Switzerland and a quickly discovered mutual love of sailing, the two were married on October 22, 1966. They made their home in Clinton, NY, for 40 years, raising three children and welcoming six exchange students into their family. Annette was a devoted mom and grandmother, never missing an activity.
Annette had a fun, feisty personality and lived an active and enthusiastic life. She loved downhill skiing, swimming, sailing, motorboating, traveling and nature. She was a member of the Utica Curling Club, “100 Club” for dancing, and golf leagues. She served as her son’s Cub Scout Den Mother and leader for Cindy’s Girl Scout Troop. A dedicated genealogist, she was a member of the Mayflower Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, and other lineage organizations.
Summers were spent at their cherished second home on Piseco Lake, NY, where the family sailed their Flying Scot in Piseco Yacht Club races for decades. Annette also loved motor-boating around the lake with family and friends—an activity she continued to enjoy this past summer in Wyoming.
She and Art traveled widely within the United States and globally. In early retirement they spent off-seasons in Florida and winters skiing in Colorado, later living in Las Vegas for six years before settling in Lander, WY, during their final decade. Married over 56 years, Annette and Art “made the most of every day.” In Annette’s last years she remained active, a regular at church, the senior center, town events, and was a dedicated physical therapy patient, determined to maintain activity and then recover from a stroke. She and her family greatly appreciate the caregivers who helped her remain living in her home.
Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; parents Eaton Otis and Martha Cynthia Levee Eysaman; brother Willard (Colleen); step-brothers Alan, Kenneth (Norma), Rodney (Millie), and Jeffery Lowe; brother-in-laws Frederic (JoAnn) and William (Anne) Withington; nephew Brian Eysaman; and many adored dogs.
She is survived by her children: Scott (Holly Hale) Withington of Warren, MI; Allen (Jennifer) Withington of Brighton, MI; Cynthia (Jeremy) Newman of Lander, WY; and first child Susan (Sean) Olson of Fairhaven, MA, who was reunited with her birth mother many years later. She is also survived by ten grandchildren—Katherine, Ian, Perrin, Grace, Luke, Bryce, Sierra, Tess, Madeleine, and Max—along with cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday 4pm, January 9, 2026 at the Free Church, 1215 Hwy 287, Lander WY with a reception to follow at the church, then a gathering at her home. An additional memorial service will be held summer 2026 in Utica, NY (date TBD). In lieu of flowers, Annette wanted donations given to the Arbor Day Foundation, a charity that she was a long time member.