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Ann and David Talbot

Everyone who knew Ann and David “Dave” Talbot admired their love and devotion to each other throughout their 46 years of marriage. They were inseparable and operated as a team in everything they did — from squash tournaments to collecting shells to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to their unique property in Guilford.

Dave retired in 2020 from his 38-year career coaching squash at Yale to care for Ann as her dementia progressed. On Sept. 17, Ann died suddenly, and an hour or so later, David suffered a massive heart attack. Despite heroic efforts by the hospice nurse, paramedics, and the Yale New-Haven Hospital cardiac ICU team, David passed away on Sept. 19. He was surrounded by family members and the loving prayers of his family circle and countless friends.

Ann and David’s birthdays are a day apart. Ann was born in San Diego on June 17, 1952, and David was born in San Francisco a day later. They met in Atlanta when they were 23 years old and married when they were 25. Ann’s daughter Shannon was then 5 years old, and David adopted her.

After serving as the squash pro at the Baltimore Country Club and the Detroit Athletic Club, Yale University hired David to coach the men’s squash team in 1983, and so began his lauded career in college squash. David was known as the unofficial “commissioner” for the World Professional Squash WPSA Tour by organizing and putting together scheduling for the tour. His own highest rank was #12 in the WPSA tour. Ann was by David’s side at virtually every squash event and happily served as the “den mother” to David’s squash teams. At the same time, she applied her executive and bookkeeping skills in various businesses. For a number of years, Ann and David owned and managed Orchard Hill, a natural food store in Branford.

Ann and David truly loved their family, friends, neighbors, and contacts throughout the squash world. Their circle of love and care was always expanding, and their influence upon others’ lives was deep and abiding. The pain from the loss is being felt far and wide.

Grieving family members include their daughter Shannon Talbott; son-in-law Mike Alberts; grandson Owen Alberts; Ann’s two Bartlett siblings; David’s five Talbott siblings, nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews; and their beloved Angel Dog Zen.

A celebration of their lives will occur at a future date. Contributions may be made in honor of David and Ann to a new special annual award for squash players at Yale and/or to add to an existing scholarship award in David’s name at Squash Haven. It is important that any donations state “in memory of Ann and David Talbott.” Addresses: The Skillman Association at Yale University, Yale Athletic Department, In memory of Ann and David Talbott, P.O. Box 208216 New Haven, Connecticut 06508-1844 or Squash Haven, in memory of Ann and David Talbott, 12 Alden Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06515. Both organizations are 501 (c)(3), so that donors may deduct their gifts in accordance with law. Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.