Anne (Kritkausky) Ayres joined the heavenly angels on October 26, 2026 at the age of 102. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John P. Ayres; parents, Anthony Kritkausky and Anna (Krasauskas) Kritkausky; siblings, Dr. Anthony Kritkausky, Violet Shirhall and Stephanie Laszewski and their spouses; and several nieces and nephews.

The youngest child of Lithuanian immigrants, Anne's formative years were a blend of Old World traditions and New World ways. She was an avid reader and a creative spirit, finding expression in her arts and crafts. She became an accomplished seamstress, gardener and needlepointer and had a natural gift for drafting and decorating.

Anne graduated from Binghamton Central High School and the Charles S. Wilson School of Nursing in 1945 as a registered nurse. Through the newly formed US Cadet Nurse Corps, she completed her nursing education on a full scholarship. As part of her training, she was assigned to Halloran General Hospital, the nation's largest Army hospital during WWII.

Following graduation, Anne obtained advanced certification in public health from the University of Michigan, returning to Binghamton to work for the city as a public health nurse. There, she met City Veterinarian John P. Ayres. They married in 1951. The two built an active veterinary practice, first in Corbettsville and then on Binghamton's Southside. In later years, they established a private mortgage financing business, helping many local families with the purchase of their first homes. She served as a PTA and Children's Daycare board member; Girl Scout leader and Phelps Mansion Museum docent among other volunteer activities.

Anne was a loving person filled with grace, kindness and generosity and an unwavering devotion to family and friends. She never spoke harshly of anyone and made everyone feel welcome and loved. She raised her children, cared for her elderly father, worked alongside her husband, made home-cooked meals nightly and volunteered, all the while creating precious memories for her family at their Zane Road home and their cottage on Tripp Lake. Her happiest moments were at the lake where generations gathered and countless family memories were made. She was one of the last of a remarkable era, a connection to the past for many and a living example of society's most respected values to all who knew her.

Anne is survived by her children, Christine Ayres (Robert Schultheisz) and Dr. John R. Ayres (Deborah); grandchildren Carly Ayres (Sebastian Speier) and Ellyn Farrar (Ryan); great-grandchild Matisse Speier; step-grandchildren Michael Schultheisz (Heather), Robert Schultheisz (Maggie) and Heidi Campbell (Kevin) and their children, Aaron, Ashton, Nathan, Brooke, Isabelle and Connor; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

At her request, her body was donated to SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 21, at 11:00 AM at Saints John and Andrew Catholic Church, 1263 Vestal Ave., Binghamton. Mass will follow at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Phelps Mansion Museum, 191 Court St., Binghamton, NY 13901.