Ann Houghton

Ann Elizabeth Houghton, 73, died on February 2, 2025, while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ann was born in Dunedin, Florida, April 25, 1951, the first daughter of Alan Fisher Houghton and Edith Claire Smith Houghton. She was educated in the Dunedin public schools, and graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in education and from the University of Virginia with an M.A. in early childhood education. She loved children and was a natural teacher. She taught on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana and in elementary schools in Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina. She had a special affinity for and patience with those with special needs. 

Her other great love was outdoors adventure. She set for herself monumental challenges that she doggedly pursued and achieved, such as hiking all 900 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; hiking the entire 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail (in segments during summer vacations); and visiting and exploring every one of the 63 U.S. National Parks (including the Virgin Islands and American Samoa). She completed every goal on her “bucket list.” She loved to photograph the gorgeous scenery she encountered on her many adventures. Ann volunteered for 20 years at Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Over the years she also was a Trail Maintainer, Native Plants Gardener, Demonstrator for Special Events, Parkwide Litter Patrol Volunteer and Leave No Trace Ambassador. She logged more than 4,000 hours as a volunteer. Ann had a generous heart and donated to many nonprofit causes. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints in Waynesville, North Carolina, where for decades she taught children. She never married and owned a small home in Balsam, North Carolina for easy access to her beloved mountains. Hers was a life of many challenges and many accomplishments. Ann left us doing what she loved.

 She is survived by her much–loved cat “Scout,” her older brother Eric Houghton (wife Rebecca), sister Amy Guthrie (husband John), sister Nancy Penney, and four nephews: Adam Penney (wife Theresa and greats Calvin and Alice), Luke Penney (wife Carson and greats Baxter and Parks), John Berry Guthrie (wife Rachita), and Thomas Guthrie (wife Adrea and greats Zoey, Brooks, and Tate). 

She was predeceased by her parents and beloved brother-in-law Kurt Penney. Memorial service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 26 Cattle Dr., Whittier, North Carolina, Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers consider a donation in Ann’s memory to Friends of the Smokies. https://friendsofthesmokies.org/honor-or-remember-a-loved-one/