Anne Paul, a longtime resident devoted to the preservation of Alexandria’s history, died Feb. 14 at her home. She was 75.

“This is a terrible loss,” said Mayor Allison Silberberg. “Anne was such a lovely person.”

Born Anne Smith on Feb 12, 1941, in Athens, Ohio, Paul was the daughter of Air Force Col. Wilfred Smith and his wife Elizabeth Ebersbach Smith. After leaving Ohio, the Smiths lived in Alabama, Virginia and Colorado. They also lived overseas in Morocco.

Paul graduated from St. Agnes School in Alexandria and attended Pine Manor Junior College in Massachusetts. She completed her education at George Washington University where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

After college, Paul worked at the Federal Maritime Commission. She married Nicolas Paul in 1965 and settled with her family in Alexandria. Paul became a dedicated volunteer, devoting her time and energy to the community and the preservation of its history. She was an active member and held leadership positions in numerous organizations including the Garden Club of Alexandria, the Garden Club of Virginia, the Junior League of Washington, the Alexandria Landmarks Society, the Alexandria Historical Society, the Alexandria Library Company, the Alexandria Public Library Board, the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission, Daughters of the American Revolution and Stratford Hall. She was an avid researcher and published historian on Alexandria.

Paul was president of the Swann-Dangerfield Condominium association in Old Town where she lived for more than 17 years. Prior to that, she was a 27-year resident of the Belle Haven neighborhood and a longtime member of Belle Haven Country Club.

She is survived by her former husband, Nicholas I. Paul of Annapolis; her daughters, Catherine Anne Geasling of Annapolis, and Mary Elizabeth Duke and her husband Andrew of Alexandria; and her two grandchildren, Ann Duke and James Duke.

A visitation with the family will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, from 6-8 p.m. in Norton Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt St. A memorial service will take place at St. Paul’s on Friday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice.