Peninsula In Passage

Ann Hurff Ballard Emily Ann Hurff Ballard was born on the fourth of July. Perhaps that’s why she was blessed with an independent spirit that made her a stand out in the community. When she passed away in May 2006, writer Fred Kirsch captured her personality and life verve in a feature obituary for The Virginian-Pilot. SUFFOLK - Ann Ballard was born on July 4. She would spend the next 83 years declaring her independence from tradition, convention, red tape and anything else that she didn’t have time for, and taking great pride in being known as a “real fire cracker.” “She lived her whole life by her rules, except for the last three weeks when she had to live by God’s rules,” said her brother, Hinton Hurff. Ballard, who died May 16, grew up in rural Driver as a tomboy, climbing trees and running with her two brothers. She would go on to college at 16 and later work in the shipyard. Ballard was a crack pilot, flying a trusty Piper Cub, she was a member of the Nansemond River Power Squadron and was a superb photographer. She didn’t give a hoot what people thought about her or what she looked like. “Hair was not a part of her life,” Hurff said. “I don’t think she ever combed it.” Ballard, a small, thin woman, was renowned for always wearing Bermuda shorts under her dress, no matter how formal the occasion. Stashed in the shorts were vice grips, a screwdriver, a wad of string and a magnet. “Why?” said Hurff. “Just in case. I can’t tell you the number of times they would come in handy.” The only occasion Ballard didn’t wear her shorts, friends recall, was at the wedding of her daughter, Nancy, where she went around saying, “I feel naked.” One of her great joys was entertaining with her husband, Robert, at their cottage in the middle of the Nansemond River. She also loved playing bridge, her playing style likened to a “loose cannon.” Tragedy struck when daughter Barbara was murdered about 30 years ago. While she maintained her feisty exterior, said Hurff, “she didn’t go to funerals after that.”

Ballard was known for her intelligence, wit and compassion, said longtime friend Maxann Morrison. She was a source of inspiration to niece Maggy Hurff, who has cerebral palsy. “She was the one always telling me I could do it,” Maggy said.

Perhaps the most curious thing Ballard did was serve as president of a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. “We never could figure that one out,” said her brother. “But she made it work. She did it on her terms.”

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