Ann Logan Sperry McGrath, 93, died peacefully at her home in Norwood, New Jersey, on September 23, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Born in 1933 to Elmer A. Sperry Jr. and Helen (Duffy) Sperry, in Brooklyn, New York, Ann was the fourth of their five children. Ann’s grandfather, Elmer A. Sperry Sr., her father, and her uncle were members of the Sperry family of inventors and pioneers in modern aviation and maritime navigation. Ann attended the Brearley School in Manhattan until her family moved to Wilton, Connecticut, in 1941. She graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, Connecticut, and later from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Newton, Massachusetts, where she majored in English. She attended Teachers College, Columbia University.
In 1956, Ann was teaching elementary school at St. David’s School, a private boys’ school in Manhattan, when she fell in love with the music teacher, Robert E. McGrath, who later became the featured tenor vocalist on the hit television show Sing Along With Mitch and an original cast member of the beloved children’s program, Sesame Street. Ann and Bob wed in June 1958 and started their family in Manhattan before moving to Teaneck, New Jersey, where they spent 55 years raising five children. They enjoyed more than 60 years together until Bob’s passing in 2022.
Ann spent a large part of her youth riding and caring for her horses, King and Ladybug. She loved traveling, gardening, hiking, playing the piano, and spending summers at their home in Maine, often with their grandchildren. She studied karate for more than 30 years, earning a high brown belt. A prolific reader and writer, Ann was often seen with a book in hand, even as she prepared dinner for their five young children, no doubt getting ready for a book club meeting whose members would become lifelong friends.
Her witty writings can be found dating back to her time as editor-in-chief of her college publication, “855.” She published the children’s book Tony’s Tunnel, a “carry-me” book with a hole in the center that served as both Tony’s secret hideaway and a handle for little hands. She documented her lifelong travels in journals, wrote a country music song, and forever kept paper and pencil on hand to write poems.
She helped Bob write eight books for children and handled countless details behind the scenes of his live family shows with symphony orchestras, managing everything from bookkeeping to sewing costumes for the young performers who joined Bob on stage for songs such as “People in Your Neighborhood.”
Quietly guided by her Catholic faith, Ann practiced her beliefs through her actions. A confidant and mentor, she provided a welcoming space and sage advice to people of all ages, and loyally supported her friends through their most difficult times.
A loving wife and mother, Ann is survived by her five children: Liam McGrath and his partner, Janet Rauber, of New York, NY; Robert McGrath and his wife, Linda Liang, of Brooklyn, NY; Lily McGrath and her partner, Cesar Calvo, of Northvale, NJ; Alison McGrath Osder and her husband, William Osder, of Haworth, NJ; and Cathlin McGrath and her husband, Patrick McConnell, of Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on October 17, 2026, at Saint Anastasia Church, 1095 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ, at 11:00 a.m.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bridgemusik, a nonprofit organization that offers affordable and empowering opportunities for school-aged music students through mentoring, collaboration and performances with world-class concert artists. www.bridgemusik.com.
I love Ann so much. I say that in the present tense because I firmly believe that death is a transition rather than an ending, and I look forward to being together with her again before too long.
We met when I was 26 and about to have my first child and she was 40, already with 5 children, between 4 and 14 years of age. We were next door neighbors. We did so many fun things together…..made apple pie, wallpapered her kitchen, gardened, had a family pajama party, attended productions of Cathlin directing plays with my kids, celebrated an Easter banquet all together at her house.
She wrote a funny story about a hungry ant who ate a whole chocolate cake.
Ann was never impressed by celebrity. She spent time visiting elderly neighbors on Frances Street, Jerry Weir and Eleanor Simon, sharing tea and chats. Ann was down to earth, a Taurus, loved nature and everything beautiful. She set for me a great example. I love her.
Such a blessing and privilege to know this beautiful family since I was a teenager. Ann and Bob- may you sing, dance, write, laugh and have a blast together again, finally! So much love sent to The McGrath’s and extended family.
Peace and Blessings.
Alison Bartlett
As soon as I met Ann, AKA Mrs. McGrath, she practically became my second mother. She was always so welcoming and kind to me and my family. She was such a gift and role model for all of us. The world is a little less bright with her gone.
How do I begin to express what Ann meant to me? As the mother of my dearest childhood friend, she was part of my life growing up. I spent so much time in the McGrath home, never imagining that decades later, I would have the extraordinary privilege of spending three mornings a week with this beautiful, brilliant, funny, and remarkable woman.
For the past six and a half years, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Ann and I shared the most wonderful way to begin the day—together through yoga. First with her beloved husband, Bob, and then, after his passing, just the two of us and her caregiver, Annette. I think we had close to 1,000 classes together, and each one was a gift.
Ann inspired me endlessly. Her commitment to her health and physical strength was extraordinary. No matter how she felt, whether she was tired, uncomfortable, or simply not in the mood, she showed up, sat in her chair, and was ready. Often starting class with her signature karate kick, right from her chair!
Ann’s dry sense of humor stayed with her, even as her memory became less reliable. She was naturally funny and ever so quick, often delivering the most hilarious remarks with a perfectly deadpan expression. She had a way of turning things around in a sophisticated, brilliantly funny way, even as she experienced cognitive decline.
But most of all, she could connect with me on a heart level, and that touched me dearly. She loved seeing our daughter and hearing about her and loved seeing our dog and my husband if they happened to pass through the kitchen during class.
I often wondered who was getting more out of our time together. I was there to teach Ann, but in so many ways, she was teaching me—about perseverance, grace, humor, resilience, and the importance of showing up for life, even on the hard days. She was the definition of commitment, and I have never, ever seen anyone as steady and deliberate as Ann.
To the entire McGrath family, thank you for giving me the extraordinary honor of sharing this time with your beautiful mother and father. It has been one of my favorite “jobs” of all time (not really feeling like a job), teaching them both, and especially working with your mom as she so bravely continued on after Bob’s passing. Teaching your parents has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Ann, I loved you so very much. It was a sacred privilege to start my days with you … and to have the honor to be with you and your family during your final days. You gave me far more than I could ever have given you, and I will carry your spirit, your smile, your eloquence, and your determination in my heart forever.
Liam and Robert Catharine the McGrath family
I am sorry lost mrs McGrath not know her well Bob McGrath wife together heaven with Bob McGrath
Rest in peace Ann McGrath