I am saddened and shocked that yesterday, I tragically lost a friend and colleague with the passing of Ann Litt. Ann was such an amazing person and a true pioneer within our profession. She will be missed so much by so many. I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with Ann in Austin last month but feel disbelief that I won’t see her at another meeting or receive an e-mail, phone call or cleverly written holiday card from her again. I recently nominated her for the 2007 Nutrition Entrepreneur of the Year Award and hope that she is honored with this most deserving award for her incredible contributions to our profession. She was so grateful for thinking of her for this award but I hope she realized how so many of us are so grateful for having our lives enriched by knowing her.
May we all learn from her positive energy, willingness to help others, and humility.
My thoughts and prayers are with her husband, sons, and family at this extremely difficult time.
Love You and Will Miss You Ann!
Mitzi
Ann was one of the reasons I started my private practice. Her advice and mentoring skills helped me develop the foundation of my practice. She was an incredible inspiration. I am truly saddened. May God Bless Ann, her family, and friends. Cathie Ostrowski
I had only been back in the USA a few months when Ann reached out to me as she heard I was moving to the DC area. She suggested we get together, and asked if I played golf! Ann was a great golfer… I cherish the times spent with Ann and her sidekick, Faye. Lunch at Clydes…or some gathering in the DC area. We both travel a lot. I’d catch Ann at an airport, or get a fast note she’d whip off from her Blackberry or whatever “thing” she was using. I never passed your exit on I-270/495 without thinking about you Ann.
You will forever be remembered as someone who mentored. I have met countless numbers of dietitians … Juliet, Colleen…. who are so successful, because you took them under your wing.
What you did in your life, lives on in others. We miss you.
Ann was a wonderful professional and a kind, generous person. Her contributions will be missed by all of us. My prayers and thoughts are with her family.
Connie Diekman, MEd., RD, LD, FADA
Ann was an incredible woman–sports dietitian, author, mom, wife and friend. I enjoyed working with her on the “CN” board and have enjoyed numerous conversations, email exchanges and one-on-one talks about our careers, families and life. I too saw her in Austin a few weeks ago,it’s hard to believe someone so full of life is no longer here anymore. I will miss her in this world but her influence will live on forever.
Prayers to her family and friends.
Lisa Dorfman, MS,RD,CSSD,LMHC
Ann was the most honest,intuitive, realistic, sincere and normal person I have ever met. I was always so excited to get her amazing input, share everything from my next career move, her “babies” those Red Skins, book updates, travel, kids, and just girl stuff (I think sculptra and whether we should or shouldn’t was the last one.) Each time we had lunch she would say “ok, I have to go take a nap, you exhaust me!”. There was so much energy and information exchange it was like working out. I passed her on the street the other day. She hugged me, and I promised to e mail about a date for lunch. She told me Jordon graduated and she was helping him plan a trip to Africa and beyond. Her foot was feeling better (it had been a tough winter) and she was looking forward to golf! She looked gorgeous (as usual). I am so sad right now it feels like my heart is falling out of my body. I am praying for Ann’s family. This was an amazing, kind, giving, and wonderful human being. I will be there on Sunday to say goodbye. I promise I will never forget her and will “move it forward” out of respect and love for a woman who took the time to care about others.
Ann and I met through the Authors Subunit of Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG many years ago where she mentored me through both the joys and frustrations of self publishing books. She always seemed to have the time and welcomed even the “smallest” question.
Like others have mentioned, I looked forward to Ann’s annual card at the end of the year, always wondering how this year’s card could be even more creative than the last! I wish I had the opportunity to know Ann as more of a “girlfriend” instead of “only” a role model.
I send my heartfelt sympathy to Ann’s family and wide circle of friends and fans. Her life was much too short, but know that it mattered and was meaningful.
Diana Dyer, MS, RD, Ann Arbor, Michigan
I remember the first time I met Ann. It was at a SCAN pre-Symposium Workshop where Ann presented with Faye Berger Mitchell. After the workshop I approached Ann and told her what a wonderful presentation she gave and how much I learned. She was professional, gracious, and warm. Fortunately for me, Ann and my paths crossed many times since then.
Ann Litt was an outstanding and highly-respected dietitian, a mentor, and a friend. She always sought me out with her beautiful smile and a warm hug and I, like many others, looked forward to her yearly holiday card, which had her mark of creativity and class. Our conversations always began by catching up on family news and then on to our nutrition work. Her family was her joy and her pride.
Ann, you will be missed but always remembered. Our prayers are with you, your family and friends. Michele
I just came back from a run in Bethesda – ran on the crescent trail where I passed Ann one day a few months ago; walked past the restaurants where we met for lunch (too long ago) and thought a lot about what a great person she was – as an RD, mentor, teacher, leader, colleague, and friend. She (and Faye) gave me the confidence (and tools) to strike out on my own; she helped us all in the DC area stay a little more connected; I imagine her reach and impact are far greater than any one of us will ever know. She will always be an inspiration to me and she is missed dearly. Tracy Fox
Ann–You will be missed-so generous in spirit and in professional comaderie. I am so saddened; may your family find comfort in their warmest memories of you in such a difficult time. My heartfelt condolences–Evelyn Tribole
I recall posting on the NE listserv “I see you on Comcast 8, with your food model pizza”; she replied that it had been a nice day in Philadelphia. Then someone posted needing that food model pizza!
She was the Queen of college campus nutrition IMO, and whenever anyone asked about private practice resources in the DC area I immediately thought of her and Faye Berger Mitchell.
Taken too soon.
We love you Ann and we’ll miss you
Peace and Blessings Always
Lauren Swann, MS, RD, LDN
Ann was an extraordinarily supportive person. I owe her a big debt of gratitude for her support when I started my private practice (yes, I went to one of the first Be Your Own Boss seminars), and in helping me self-publish my book. Her seminar at FNCE after she had published The College Student’s Guide to Eating Well on Campus, inspired me to self-publish rather than waiting for my agent to line up a publisher. She was ready to help at every stage along the way. She gave so much, and never held back to “protect her secrets” as some might do in the same situation. And it wasn’t just that she was supportive, it was that she found creative, smart ways to make wonderful things happen. All the things that I love about my profession have come as a result of being mentored and inspired by Ann. My condolences to her family in this difficult time.
Marla Heller, MS, RD
Todd Collins
When I switched teams to the Redskins last year Mitzi sent me an e-mail to let me know how much she admired Ann and how I would enjoy having her as a nutritionist. Her reputation preceded her in all accounts. Not only was she great at what she did but she was also a pleasure to be around. She was around Redskins Park often and it was obvious the other players felt the same way.
She was always so willing to help others. She even asked me about my wife’s nutrition once and brought in a copy of her book for her the next time I saw her. If I ever had a question about anything with nutrition, even in passing, she would research it for me and have information placed in my locker. I learned a lot from her, from her favorite recovery drink (chocolate milk!) to fish oil pills, she was always so eager to pass on her knowledge.
It still does not seem real but I sure will miss seeing her around Redskins Park. I am still holding an article on vitamins from a newspaper that I planned to giver her next week. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
God Bless,
Todd Collins
Ann may never have known how many RD’s and others she had touched.
I had the pleasure of meeting her and talking with her at a MDA annual meeting a few years back, her “you can do it” attitude was inspiring.
See will be missed and left great contributions to our profession in this region and around the world.
My thoughts and prayers will forever be with her family.
Valerie K. Adegunleye RD LD
I am a nutrition student and will be starting a dietetic internship in the fall. I met Ann at the DCMADA meeting where she and Faye gave a presentation on private practice several years ago. I met her again at the FNCE meeting in Anaheim at her booth. Even though I didn’t know her, it was clear she was a true leader, not only in the field, but in life. I instantly knew that she was somebody to get to know and to learn from for years to come.
I was looking forward to starting the dietetic internship and asking her if I could shadow her for some of my internship hours. I was hoping to use my skills as a certified personal trainer to learn more about sports nutrition and her role with the Redskins. (I was looking forward to convincing her that I was worth the time and effort.) I couldn’t believe the news when I heard it. I was shocked and sad to get this news and to know I missed an opportunity to grow in ways that I can’t even imagine.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues who miss her and love her so.
Ann was always there when you needed advice or support – a giving, caring, and sharing person. With two sons the same age as Ann’s, I always felt a connection. My heartfelt sympathy is extended to her sons, her husband, and the many RDs who will miss her.
Anne Fletcher
Ann was such a terrific asset to our profession. She was warm, friendly, and always reached out to help others. I saved both her 2006 and 2007 New Year’s greetings and pulled them out to re-read after hearing the tragic news of her passing. She will be missed by all. My condolences to her family and friends.
Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD
I enjoyed getting to know Ann through our shared experiences of authorhood (as well as motherhood); only another author knows how hard it is to write and publish a book! Ann was always willing to share her experiences and wisdom, and was gracious, generous and caring. A role model of excellence, she will be missed — yet she will be kept alive by our proud memories of her. I can only begin to imagine how difficult a loss this is for her family; I know she loved them all dearly. I am holding them in my heart.
Nancy Clark
Ann was such a mentor to so many of us – I always felt her comments were right on, right up the chat we had last week. My heart goes out to all the family, friends and colleagues working through losing her so quickly and so early.
I am a NE member who lives in the DC area and heard about Ann’s death on Weds evening.
Coincidently, I had been out to dinner with some friends of mine, the husband happens to be the bone doc for the Redskins and knew Ann well.
At about 8:15 Weds evening while eating dinner, we started to talk
about Ann and how she hooked some of the players up with personal chefs. We then talked about how she had broken her leg when skiing in Feb.(because she had called the doc for advice) and what a great golfer she was. That evening after we went home, at 10:30, my friends that I had been to dinner with called to tell me Ann had died suddenly.
Needless to say, I was beyond shocked. I have been thinking about Ann ever since.
Ann and I became friends a few years ago, connected by our mutual doctor friend. We had lunch many times in Bethesda. She was so supportive and encouraging of my return to dietetics. She was the one who told me to join NE. In fact, I had purchased her and Faye’s cd on private practice at an NE event she hosted at her home a few years ago. That cd was more valuable in setting up my practice than any conference I attended or book that I read on the topic. The quality of the material speaks volumes about Ann’s (and Faye’s) attention to detail. Ann’s books were no less meticulous.
Ann was a wonderful listener and a great story teller. Her tales of the battles fought in publishing, distributing and marketing her book gave me the perserverance I needed in persuing my own projects. She always offered not only words of encouragement but also solid advice that saved time, energy and money. She loved being a dietitian and was such an unbelievable role model.
She also loved her work (and Faye), her children, her husband, golf, skiing….and a thousand other things.
Her energy was infectious. We had lunch in Feb. the day before she went skiing with old friends and talked after she was healing from her injury.
Ann was a bright light full of energy and excitement. She had an elegance about her that was mixed with drive, purpose and sprinkled with humor. She was a presence for sure. I will miss Ann greatly.
Most of all I am saddened that she will not be here to witness her
continued great success and to love and cherish her family who she absolutely adored. Though I have no real way of knowing this, I think Ann’s key to success was that she enjoyed the journey more than the outcome. It was the actual doing and creating that was exciting to her; hence her fine legacy.
May her memory encourage all of us to be the best we can be. Through tears and sadness, I will say good bye tomorrow. I hope the memory of Ann never fades.
Judy Caplan
Ann, your entrepreneurial spirit will continue to shine on us because of all the lives you touched. I greatly admired the kind, generous, and humble way in which you lived and worked.
My thoughts are with your family … I cannot even begin to imagine the grief they must be feeling right now.
God Bless,
Karen Duester
I too am shocked and saddened by the passing of Ann Litt. I’ve looked up to her as a mentor and true pioneer in this field. And, as a Rockville native, I’ve always felt like Ann was a neighbor as well as a colleague. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Marie Spano
I’m not telling anyone who reads this tribute to Ann anything they don’t already know …she was a unique and special person. I was lucky to have her in my life as a colleague, role model and friend. To have her as a wife, mother, sister or daughter must have been extraordinary.
Thank you Ann for being you! Suzanne Girard Eberle, MS, RD, CSSD
I had the pleasure of helping Ann spread the word to the media about her books. She was always upbeat and generous. I will miss working with her but find some comfort that her wisdom will continue to help many through her books.
I will always remember Ann as a dynamic professional who gave her all. She reached out to others and unselfishly shared her ideas and skills.
She will be missed by so many, including all of her fellow authors.
My deepest sympathy to her family during this very sad time.
Although I always knew of Ann Litt, I met Ann at this year’s SCAN meeting. We were next to each other at the member product display and then shared a taxi to the airport. She told me about her love of golfing with her husband and her son’s upcoming graduation. We e-mailed a few times after SCAN and I felt very fortunate to have met her.
Her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Eileen Myers
I didn’t know Ann personally but am currently reading/using the ADA Guide to Starting Your Own Business. This is such an awesome book. I look at Ann’s picture on the back, and it is so sad. We never know when we are to leave this earth. This is a powerful reminder of our own mortality. as well as an impetus to live life to the fullest and to pursue our passions as Ann did. The book is more meaningful to me now because it has the spirit of an Angel in it.
I wish Ann’s family and friends God’s love and compassion during this most difficult time.
Bev Benda-Moe,LRD
Grand Forks, ND
I met Ann about 20 years ago when we were both on the board of a local consulting nutritionist group, Registered Dietitians in the Chesapeake Bay Area. I have admired Ann for many years. She has been a strong, positive role model for women and for our profession. She was a wonderful person. I will miss her warm, welcoming smile, pioneer spirit, and positive energy. Her passing is a terrible loss to all of us.
Rebecca Bitzer, MS, RD
I never met Ann but called her
several weeks ago for assistance with a program that I was doing for high school students. She was so kind and helpful and we had a great conversation. Here I was a complete stranger and she went out of her way to help me! I can see what a wonderful person she was and a credit to our profession. Please send my condolences to her family and friends. I know she will be missed.
Whenever I spoke with Ann, no matter what the subject was, she always managed to ask about how my boys were doing and then proudly would keep me up-to-date about hers. Ann represented the ideal professional, laced with kindness and empathy. We’ll all miss and admire her always,
Bonnie Taub-Dix