Obituary: Anne Cullen Rich Pratt

Anne Cullen Rich Pratt passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026 at the Knolls of Oxford, surrounded by her family. She was 96 years old.

Anne Rich Pratt was born on Jan. 13, 1930, in Nashville, Tennessee, the daughter of Dr. Stanley Loveman Rich and Anna Brett Rich. She attended Parmer Elementary and Ward-Belmont schools in Nashville and was also educated at the Green School for Girls in London, England during the 1940’s. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a bachelor’s degree in French. In 1952, she was awarded the Founder’s Medal, the highest honor in the college. In 1954 she earned a master degree in French. 

It was at Vanderbilt in 1951 that she met her beloved husband, William Pratt. They were married in 1954 and were devoted to each other for nearly 70 years, raising three children, collaborating on academic projects, traveling the world, entertaining in their home and always engaged in spirited discussions about literature, world affairs, art, music, religion and philosophy. They shared a love of education, travel and dedication to life-long learning.

Anne loved her home in Oxford, Ohio and delighted in welcoming guests and treating them to the best of Southern hospitality. She was a gourmet cook and hostess who loved to prepare a beautiful table and gather friends and family for unforgettable meals and conversation.  

Homemaking was her greatest joy and her family members were the fortunate beneficiaries of her domestic gifts. 

 A quick wit and sense of humor were hallmarks of her personality. She was a keen observer of human foibles in herself and others. Teasing was her gentle method of parental discipline, but she enjoyed being teased in return.

Anne was also a gifted teacher and taught in the French departments of Vanderbilt University, Talawanda High School and Miami University. Her love of France and the French language and culture began early in life and brought her much joy. She also had a special fondness for Ireland, inherited from her mother’s family.  Her Irish roots may have been the source of her talent for acting which began at the Cape Cod Theatre School when she was in high school and continued through many lead roles at Vanderbilt University and on into her association with the International Society for Contemporary Literature and Theatre which she and her husband attended nearly every summer for 40 years in various locations all over Europe.

Anne was active in the Oxford community as a member and officer of Chapter CB of PEO and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. In the university community she acted as a docent at the McGuffey House and Museum, an advisor to the Tri Delta chapter, Mortar Board and Phi Beta Kappa.   

She was a member of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Tennessee, where she was delighted in hosting family and friends for extended visits. She adored her grandchildren and treasured the times the family could be together in her Tennessee home.

Anne was raised in the tradition of the Anglican Episcopal Church and she and Bill were congregants at Christ Church Monteagle when in residence there. Anne’s deep faith was central to her life and the way she inhabited the world. As accomplished as she was in so many areas, she always put others before herself and strove for excellence, not out of ambition but as a way of honoring her God-given gifts. She treated others with kindness and respect, regardless of background and rejoiced in the happiness and success of those she loved far more than any of her own achievements.

Anne is survived by her sister-in-law, Marjorie Pratt Monnet, three children, Catherine Cullen Pratt Hornaday (Charles), William Stuart Pratt (Kimberly) and Randall Johnston Pratt (Jane), seven grandchildren, Marjorie Hornaday (Michael Mouzakitis), William Dickson Hornaday, Jordan Elizabeth Pratt Mayer (Dave), William Samuel Pratt, Catherine Grace Pratt, Connor MacNeil Pratt (Claire), Charlotte Pratt Benway (Lucian) and five great- grandchildren, Finley Mayer, Adeline Mayer, Margot Ruth Mayer, Charles Mouzakitis and Eleni Mouzakitis. 

She is predeceased by her parents, husband, brother and sister, and a grandchild, Caroline Jane Pratt. 

The family is grateful for the caring attention over the past three years of the staff at the Knolls of Oxford. The family also wishes to thank the Hospice team of Jaime, Amy and Clair for the support and comfort they provided to Anne and her family in the last three months.

A private family service and interment will be held at the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to endowed scholarships in the names of William and Anne Pratt at Miami University or Vanderbilt University or to Ohio Living. Online condolences may be shared on the Tribute Wall at www.paulyoungfuneralhome.com.

This obituary was published by Paul R. Young Funeral Home.