Anne K. (Kinsley) Wagner

Anne K. Wagner

York – Anne K. Wagner, 88, of York, passed away peacefully Friday, January 21, 2022 at her home.  She was the wife of the late Jack R. Wagner, having married in 1953.

Anne was born December 1, 1933, in Philadelphia, and was the daughter of the late Robert Wright Kinsley and the late Molly (Savin) Kinsley.  She was a graduate of William Penn High School.

After marriage, Anne and Jack built their farm from scratch – adding and upgrading as they could.  Anne was a self-employed horseback riding instructor for 60 years.  She loved teaching – she taught riding, horsemanship and care.  She made riding fun.  Her approach to horses led many students to truly love the sport and have horses in their adult life.  Anne’s own riding education as a teenager began when she would ride her horse one and a half hours to her lesson, have a lesson, and then ride home.  Hundreds of students came through her riding program over the years.  Through her teaching, Anne not only taught students riding, but took time to answer the questions about the bird in the tree, or the interesting bug on the fence post.

Anyone working for Anne learned accountability, responsibility, and developed a work ethic that could get them almost any job they later pursued.

Anne’s horse world extended beyond instructing.  It included showing, foxhunting, and endurance riding. Most of all, she enjoyed riding her horse cross country on surrounding farms, across fields and jumping fences. 

Anne loved her cats and dogs, as well as nature, the arts, and the outdoors. Her farm was her greatest love – and she would take the time to lean on a fence post to watch a sunset, watch the birds in a bird box, or watch a fox crossing the lower pasture.    Drawing was another passion of Anne’s.  She designed and drew numerous years of cloth calendars for the Stone Mill Tack Shop.   She was an avid reader, loving history, and biographies. Next to the horses, she loved gardening, and spent many hours in her English style gardens.

Anne was a tireless hands-on volunteer, and very giving of her time. For 25 years, she partnered with Easter Seals to have a Handicap Riding Program. Every summer Tuesday evening, she, along with about 40 volunteers held handicap riding sessions at their farm. During summers, Girl Scouts from Inner City York would come to the farm for riding, and to generally experience the outdoors.

Anne was instrumental in creating and developing the 4-H Horse programs in York County.  Her leadership helped develop the county and district 4-H shows. She led the York White Rose Horse Club for over 25 years.  Through 4-H, Handicap Riding, horseback lessons and clinics, she was dedicated to the development of youth through horses.   She gave so much time to children - her own and countless others. After a morning of hard work, she would take the barn help on some educational venture – plays at York Little Theater, museums, battlefield tours, or a relaxing afternoon at Zimmie’s pool in Spry.

When the weather turned cold, the lesson horses got a vacation, and with the family, Anne would downhill and cross-country ski, as well as snowshoe.

Anne traveled to Switzerland, Africa, New Zealand, England and various western US states, and sailed down the east coast on a sailboat.  One of her first travels was in the early 60’s when she and a small group of horseback riders rode from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. The ride took three weeks.

She was the Chairman of the Spring Valley Animal Exhibition Area, which oversaw the building of the show rings and outside jump course at Spring Valley Park.    She was also involved in the development of the 4-H Center.  She was a horse show judge, and a Whipper-in for Rose Tree Hunt Club and later Beaufort Hunt Club. 

She served on the Boards of the Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County, the York County SPCA, and York County Parks Advisory Board.  She also helped lead the Equine Program of the SPCA.

Over the years, she was a member of various local riding clubs, PA Equine Council, Keystone Haflinger Club, and the Garden Club of York.

Anne was an amazing person in that she lived a truly full life. She was able to balance hard work on the farm, raising children, a successful career, traveling and still have time to give to so many others.

Anne is survived by sons, Scott R. Wagner and wife, Tracy; Bruce R. Wagner and wife Mary; and daughter Susan K. Wagner; four grandchildren, Katharine, Cristina, Sydney and Tori; and a great grandson, Sam.   She is also survived by sisters Deborah Cooper of Bowie MD; and Dr. Elizabeth Ricklefs and husband Steven of York.   Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and son, Randall J. Wagner, sister Marina Adams and brother Robert A. Kinsley.

A special thank you to the caregivers in Anne’s final years who provided excellent care, and became friends who helped bring smiles into her life.  Thank you Delanna, Monica, Jackie, Lori, and Evelyn.

Anne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. 

Burial will be private.  A Memorial Service will be held at later date in the Spring.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Diehl Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Mount Wolf.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Farm and Natural Lands Trust of York County, 350 N. George St.  York PA 17401, or York County Parks, 400 Mundis Race Rd.  York PA 17406.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anne K. (Kinsley) Wagner, please visit our floral store.