Philanthropist Ann Carell, who along with her late husband Monroe Carell, Jr., made the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Medical Center possible, passed away yesterday at age 77. Carell was a supporter of numerous charitable causes in Nashville, many involving education, including the underwriting of NPT’s “A Word on Words with John Seigenthaler,” the longest-running book discussion program on television.
“She was a passionate supporter of both public television and literature, and ‘A Word on Words’ provided a way for her to share those two passions with the community,” said Beth Curley, NPT president and CEO. “When I think of the many hundreds of authors that have come in to talk to John, and the many engaging conversations about literature, history, politics and more that we’ve been able to share with Middle Tennessee, and ultimately with the world online, I also think of Ann and how she made that possible. She was an invaluable friend to NPT, Nashville and the ever-growing minds of people everywhere in this community. We miss her already.”
For a full obituary of Ann Carell, please visit The Tennessean.