Ann S. Totten

Ann S. Totten died on the evening of April 7, 2026 at NewBridge on the Charles, in Dedham, Massachusetts where she had lately resided, after living in East Walpole, Massachusetts since 1964.

She was born Louisa Ann Sandifer in Social Circle, Georgia, to the late Madian (Moran) and Maron Asher Sandifer, on October 9, 1932. Although she was an only child, her mother’s three sisters lived locally, and their young families -- cousins Eldna, Alfred, Jane Cary, Ruth, and Marilyn -- grew up together.

Ann graduated from Shorter College (now Shorter University) in Rome, Georgia in 1953 with honors in music, and was a faculty member in the Preparatory Department there. She studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory and at Oberlin Conservatory, and received her Master of Music degree from Indiana University in Bloomington in 1954, where she specialized in piano, organ, and harpsichord. Following graduate study, she was Associate Professor of Music at Baylor College (now the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor) in Belton, Texas, where she taught piano and organ, and continued her performing career as a solo pianist and as a member of a piano duo.

She met her former husband James Ballard Totten (d. October 15, 2000) in 1955, at Fort Hood in Central Texas, where he sang in, and she was accompanist for, the U.S. Army Chorus.

Ann was a Director of Music at churches in Franklin and Walpole, Massachusetts, including at the United Church in Walpole, whose 4 year-long pipe organ restoration and replacement project she led, and whose adult choirs she was pleased to conduct in music festivals in Europe.

Over her long life in music, Ann also taught master classes on contemporary chamber music for both UPenn and Harvard, performed with Boston-area chamber groups, was founding member of the Serenata Chamber Players, performed with the Brockton Symphony, and accompanied the Neponset Choral Society over many years.

She taught piano privately for more than 70 years, and there were times that it seemed to her family that everyone in town was either taking or had taken piano lessons from her and had attempted Beethoven’s “Für Elise.”

Ann is survived by her children Jennifer Totten of Salisbury, North Carolina, Melissa Totten of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and James Ballard Totten, Jr. and his wife Meghan Hickey of Brooklyn, New York; and her two grandchildren Daisy and Jack Totten of Brooklyn, New York.

Ann’s family, including her extended Georgia cousins and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were the light of her life. She was the true historian of the family, keeping track of large and small achievements and adventures, from generations-old mishaps and gentle catastrophes to contemporary tales of endearing accomplishment, regaling us with stories frequently punctuated with her bright and contagious laughter.

The family would like to thank her friends, neighbors, and caregivers who provided key support in her final years. We are especially grateful for the loving friendship of Sarah Schoppe.

Following her wishes, there will be no visitation or memorial at this time, and she will go to her final rest with her parents in Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor Ann’s legacy of laughter, learning and teaching by lifting your voices in song and music. Make a joyful noise in her honor.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney and Son Funeral Home, Walpole.