Antoinette Picciano Hastings, loved the seashore
Born Nov. 15, 1932, Antoinette “Ann” grew up in New York, and after college headed off on her own to earn her Ph.D. in microbiology at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. It was there that she also met her husband-to-be, Vaughan Stevens Hastings “Steve,” a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago. They married July 6, 1957, and together raised four sons.
Ann’s professional career began with her passion for teaching biology, at Bucks County Community College in Pennsylvania. After the family moved to Illinois, she began teaching again at Oakton Community College and was quickly promoted to administration as academic dean for the biology department. Finally, with a family move back to the East Coast, she was promoted to the highest academic position as provost of Montgomery County Community College. Ann served the college for 15 years in that position, until she retired in 1994.
After retirement, Ann lived out her life’s passion living by the seashore in Lewes, fishing, crabbing, traveling and even scuba diving. She loved having friends and family visit to share in the joy she felt living by the sea. Her memory lives on with a tree planted in her honor at Canal Front Park in Lewes.
An independent, strong-willed and intelligent person who gave so much of herself in so many ways. She is now at peace, joining her husband and family in heaven for eternity. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and admired her.
A celebration of Ann’s life will be held in June 2023. For information, text 310-968-2757.
