Ann W. Bellamy, a Nashua resident, and local businessperson, died on December 23, 2023, three months after being diagnosed with Metastatic Adenocarcinoma. Born in Boston on October 5, 1953, to David Bellamy, Jr., and Gloria Marion Allen Bellamy, of Framingham, MA, Ann’s great grandfather, Francis J. Bellamy, was the author of the Pledge of Allegiance.
After leaving home at 16, Ann led an interesting and colorful life, getting involved in the world of horse racing, and then going on to raise pigs and chickens on her large farm in Winthrop, New York where, among other things, she made her own bread, and canned and preserved her own fruits and vegetables.
She worked for the Hilton hotel chain in Washington, D. C., followed by decades working for the Sears Corporation, eventually landing in New Hampshire in 1995 and moving to Nashua in 2006. A lifelong learner, Ann went back to school, taking the Excel Degree Program, specializing in Computer Science, at Daniel Webster College and earning her degree. Thus, she became, much to her chagrin, the computer guru for many of us for the rest of her life.
Then Ann focused on real estate investing, having an expansive career as an investor and lender. She was at the center of creating some of the largest real estate meetup groups in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire and was the past treasurer of the New Hampshire Real Estate Investment Association (REIA) and co-founder of both the Boston REIA and Black Diamond REI, LLC. Ann also started her own private money lending company, Buy Now. Through the hundreds of loans Ann originated, neighborhoods and communities were rebuilt, and homeowners purchased their first homes. She was a revered teacher and mentor to both new investors, as well as seasoned professionals, and was well respected. She was known for her honesty about the business, never sugar-coating the potential pitfalls.
Ann became a member of the Rotary Club of Nashua in 2011, serving on the Raffle Committee and chairing the PR Committee. She earned the distinction of being honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Ann also served on the Board of Directors at Thoreau’s Landing Condominium Association, her many years of experience owning rental property making her a valuable asset.
A life-long dog lover, Ann’s passion for fostering rescued dogs became not only her avocation, but her mission in life. She never met a dog she did not love. Ann believed they did not ask to be brought into the world, and did not have a voice, so she became theirs. She was a tireless worker, fundraiser for, and supporter of, many local rescue organizations, including the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, and Tails to Freedom, Inc., as well as The Second Chance Animal Rescue of Puerto Rico which found homes for satos, the local feral dogs. Ann’s efforts made a critical and lasting difference in the lives of many dogs and their owners. Her own pets through the years were always rescued. Those who did not get rehoused, she herself adopted permanently.
Ann is survived by her half-sisters: Barbara Rachael Bellamy (spouse Jack Tumblin) of Evanston, Illinois, Patricia Cook, Elizabeth Karcha, and Katherine Chiao, her cousins Geena Davis of Los Angeles, CA, and Dan Davis of Las Vegas, NV and Wareham, MA, her Rotary Club family, her army of friends including her neighbors at Thoreau’s Landing and her long-time friends, Jeanne Shaheen of Dansville, New York,
Linda Rando of Pocasset, MA, Marilyn Mitchell of Hollis, NH and Mary Smith of Hollis, NH. and, of course, her fur babies Tito and Sophie, and their new mother Rachael Caron.
Ann, you supported us, you challenged us to get out of our comfort zones and learn new things. You were a true friend. You were one of a kind, and we will never be able to replace you. We will miss you dearly.
A sincere thank you to all of Ann’s doctors and caregivers including Dr. Small, and the nurses, staff, and volunteers at Community Hospice in Merrimack, NH. Ann was overwhelmed by, and so grateful for your kindness, care, and compassion in the last months of her life. You are angels on this earth.
Always a maverick, Ann left her body to science, and, per her wishes, there will be no services for her. Her burial will be private.
Ann requested that donations in her memory be made to the Scarpr.org (The Second Chance Rescue of Puerto Rico, HC-01 3547, Villalba, PR 00766) or www.TailstoFreedom.org (Tails to Freedom, Inc. at Lucky Dog Thrift Shop, 23 Elm ST, Nashua, NH 03060).
