Ann Lee Huckenbeck of Troy, Ohio died August 22, 2024 peacefully at the hospital. She was born Oct. 27, 1935 in Four Oaks, NC to Charles Lee and Mary Lou Gordon (deceased). She was the third of six children born to the Lees. She said "It was Depression Time, and people had nothing. But our home had love, and Mother always came up with a meal even if was only biscuits and gravy."

The Lees lived in Smithfield, NC for many years and Ann attended the excellent public schools there. She graduated as class salutatorian in 1954 and was head cheerleader, editor of the school newspaper and baseball writer for the local newspaper.

She married Bill Dickens, her high school sweetheart. They had four children who have been the pride and joy of Ann's life. "No one's been in jail; they are all happily married and blessedly independent." The Dickens family moved to Connecticut in 1965. At the age of 31, Ann entered the University of Connecticut as a freshman. Even with four children at home, she vowed to go full time because she had delayed her education for many years. She loved learning and excelled at her studies, graduating in 1970 Magna Cum Laude and With Distinction. She was initiated into the honor societies of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Alpha Theta, Gold key and Pi Lambda Theta. She continued her studies there receiving both a Master's and a Ph. D. degree. In 1991, she earned a Certificate of Management from Harvard University.

Ann began her 27-year career at UConn as an Assistant Director of Admissions. She headed the Office of Transfer Admissions and coordinated an articulation agreement with the Connecticut Community College Systems. She was selected as Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the School of Business Administration at UConn, a position she held for 11 years. Her next assignment was Special Assistant to the President of the University. Following this, she was selected as Director of Admissions at the University, a position she held until her retirement in 1997. Ann was active in all aspects of campus government and campus life at the University. She served on multiple committees including but not limited to Presidential Search Committee, The University Senate, The Senate Executive Committee, University of Connecticut Alumni Association, and Athletic Advisory Committee. She received many awards at UConn: chair of Peterson's College Advisory Board, Distinguished Service Awards from both the UConn Club and Alumni Association, and a Special Service Award from the Connecticut High School Guidance Counselors' Association. She was honored as one of the Top Ten Women in the 100 Years of Women at the University of Connecticut and as Outstanding Education Professional by the University's School of Education.

After retiring from UConn, Ann served for a brief period as Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment at Peace College (now Peace University) in Raleigh, NC.

Ann and her second husband Rich moved to Clayton, NC. They were both active in the First Presbyterian Church in Smithfield, Ann's "home church". Ann served as Elder, Clerk of Session, and Church Historian. She also served as chair of the Johnston County Heritage Commission that works to study and preserve the history of Johnston County. One of her proudest achievements after retirement was, in tandem with good friends Julia and Earl McCullers, spending three years establishing a museum in the old Smithfield High School building. When the grand opening and dedication were held, over 600 alumni attended the full day's festivities.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, four of her siblings and a niece. Shirley Williams, Jean Kasman, Linda Lynch, Charles Lee, Jr. and her niece Carol Lee.

Ann is survived by her beloved husband Richard, sons William Dickens (Michele) and Paul Dickens (Elizabeth) of Connecticut, daughter Jennifer Loveall (Mark) of Orinda, California and son Rolf Dickens (Eva) of Troy, Ohio; her brother David Lee (Joyce) of Smithfield, N.C.; special in-laws Jim Lynch and Judy Lee of North Carolina; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many long-time friends.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 PM on October 27, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church, Smithfield, NC. Visitation will be held from 3:00-4:00PM at the church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.