Anne Marie Dinwoodie

Anne Marie (Budlong) Dinwoodie (80) passed away at Rhode Island Hospital on June 24, 2026. She succumbed to injuries from a sudden and tragic motor vehicle accident on June 13th—a collision in which she was an innocent party—leaving her family and friends to mourn a life lost far too soon. Born to Mary A. (Logan) and Charles R. Budlong, Anne was the beloved wife of the late Alexander Briggs Dinwoodie Jr. She leaves behind her children, John Dinwoodie and his wife Jane (Underhill) of North Kingstown, RI, and Ellen (Dinwoodie) and her husband Peter Santagata of Exeter, RI. She was the cherished “Super-Nana” to Ryan and Malana Santagata and her grand-dog, Augie. She is also survived by her sister, Frances Alcorn of Clermont, FL, and many adoring nieces and nephews, with special love for the Lydick sisters, Mary Cherenzia and Kim Wardlaw, Tina Alcorn Hicks, and the Vito sisters Charlotte Laurendeau—her loyal roommate and protector—and Beverly Pepin. Anne was the heart of her family, a woman who taught her children to marry for love with a healthy mix of "lust", reminding them that marriage is hard, but it is ultimately what you choose it to be. As a young mother on a stretched budget, she worked miracles—making her children’s clothes and ensuring they never felt the scarcity of money. She eventually became a master seamstress, creating the wedding dresses for her daughters and nieces. She was the embodiment of selfless motherhood, famously packing her little ones up for family adventure during nightly watering runs at the Woodland Golf Course. Her capacity for care extended far beyond her immediate family. She opened her home to those in need—including perfect strangers—and held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews. Many of them share that their summers spent with Anne were a life-altering experience; she provided a safe, nurturing haven that allowed them to escape hardships and see the world through a lens of hope and possibility. Anne spent years as the ever-present advocate for her husband, Al, during his diabetic journey. She became highly medically knowledgeable and even donated her kidney to him. Knowing his time might be short, she selflessly supported his love for life, never blinking at his request for 2:00 AM breakfasts for friends or catering lasagna for 100 people. While Al was charismatic and popular, Anne never had a jealous moment; she simply enjoyed watching him shine. Beyond her devotion to her family, Anne took great pride in her professional life. She often reflected with joy on her time as the school secretary at the former Allenton Elementary School and the then brand-new Stony Lane Elementary. Anne was a stand-out among public servants as the Assistant Accounts Payable Manager at URI, where her work ethic earned the department a stellar reputation among vendors. Yet, her true passion was exploration. Anne lived life to the fullest, often jokingly saying, “The heck with you all, I’ll go by myself!” rather than miss an event. She traveled from Alaska to Australia, visiting most of the United States and at least 25 countries. She was a natural navigator who could handle an airport better than many seasoned executives, and she delighted in introducing travel to her friends and family. Anne’s life was defined by the grace of forgiveness balanced with a high standard for self-respect. She was an unconditional and generous friend who cultivated a loving circle, including Carol Mudge, Nancy Perras, Marcia Grenon, Michelle Wigdon, and Linda McLintock. She proved that karma is real by the sheer amount of love that was returned to her in her later years. As a final act of her generous spirit, Anne was an organ donor. In accordance with her wishes, no formal services will be held. The family invites you to honor her memory by living fully, loving deeply, and extending kindness to others, just as she did. We find great comfort knowing that, through her final act as an organ donor, she continues to give life to those in need, and we take peace in the knowledge that she is now in heaven, watching over us all.

Tributes

Anne Marie Dinwoodie

June 24, 2026