Ann Louise Whitcomb Scotten, beloved wife of Dr. Gregory T. Scotten, died in Locust Grove, Va. on Nov. 6. She was 83.

She was born in New York city on August 16, 1938 to Leslie and Kathryn Downey Whitcomb. A talented teenager, Ann was awarded academic scholarships to Notre Dame Academy and Regis College in Massachusetts. After graduating from Regis with degrees in chemistry and art, she earned master’s degrees from Salem State and Boston University. She continued her studies in Boston University’s doctoral program.

After working initially as one of few women industrial chemists, she became a school teacher. She taught a variety of subjects and specialized in advanced chemistry, physics and calculus. She was also recognized as a master teacher for troubled teens. In the 1980s she served as an assistant principal at Beverly High School and later was named principal of Bunnell High School in Stratford, Conn.

The Kettering Foundation selected Ann among nationally-recognized school administrators as a fellow in its summer Institute for Development of Educational Activities (IDEA) for five separate years. She attended the vigorous program at the Claremont College campus in California, where she met her future husband.

In 1992 Ann returned to her first passion: classroom teacher. She was hired by superintendent Dr. Herbert Custer for the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After arriving on the Island, she married the high school principal, Dr. Greg Scotten. She was quickly recognized for her classroom skills and became a favorite teacher.

In 1999 Greg and Ann retired to Punta Gorda, Fla. Ann volunteered for the Cooper Street Afterschool Program, where she was selected as teacher of the year. She also served in the Charlotte County Environmental Parks Program and led the youth Sunday school and summer Bible school programs at St. Andrew’s Church.

She was the first female education officer and squadron commander of the Peace River Power Squadron in Charlotte county, Fla., which is part of the largest boating education program in the country. She served as the national commander for instructor development. She was also a dancer, an incredible artist and teen fashion model.

In 2016 the couple moved to Fredericksburg, Va. to be closer to family. Ann spent her final days reminiscing with her husband Greg about her proud moments as a mother to her boys, her students and enjoying her grandchildren.

She was a loving mother to her children Charles and his wife Alexandra and Eric Schack and his wife Maggie, second mother to Elizabeth Scotten-Finn and her husband Douglas, Kathleen Scotten Sequeira and her husband James, and Matthew Scotten. She was a devoted grandmother to Douglas, Steven, Daniel, Eliza, William and Jane Schack, and Daniel James, Nathan and Zachary Sequeira.

A service and interment will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven on Dec. 4 at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow.

A scholarship fund for student post-secondary education has been established in her memory. To donate, please make checks payable to Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and mail to Superintendent of Schools, attention Marylee Schroeder, 4 Pine Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.