Basic Information
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ann Perry Sager |
| Also Known As | Ann Perry MacFarlane; “Perry MacFarlane” |
| Year of Birth | 1947 |
| Date of Death | July 16, 2010 (age 63) |
| Birthplace | Newburyport area, Massachusetts, USA |
| Occupation | School administrator; admissions and college-guidance professional |
| Spouse | Ronald Milton “Ron” MacFarlane (m. 1970) |
| Children | Seth MacFarlane (b. 1973); Rachael MacFarlane (b. 1976) |
| Primary Residences | Massachusetts (early life); Kent, Connecticut (from early 1970s) |
| Notable Tributes | Dedication on Family Guy (2010); remembrance on Larry King Live |
| Community Affinity | Animal welfare; namesake of “Perry’s Place” at an animal sanctuary |
A Quiet Life, A Lasting Influence
Ann Perry Sager’s story is not one of red carpets or spotlights, but of classrooms, corridors, and conversations that shape young lives. Born in 1947 and passing on July 16, 2010, after a battle with cancer, she built a life in education—helping students find their paths—while raising two children who would become prominent voices in American entertainment. Her legacy feels like a steady melody beneath brighter solos: persistent, grounding, and deeply humane.
Known to many as “Perry,” she married Ronald Milton “Ron” MacFarlane in 1970. Their family moved to Kent, Connecticut, in the early 1970s, settling into the close-knit world of independent schools. In a career that threaded through admissions and college guidance roles, she became a reliable compass for students preparing for the next step. Those who worked with her remember a calm, clear-sighted presence—someone who knew how to listen, and when to nudge.
Early Years and an Educator’s Path
Ann’s roots trace to the Newburyport area on Massachusetts’ North Shore. Her professional life would bloom in Connecticut, particularly around South Kent School and the Kent School community. Admissions and college counseling are demanding crafts: the work requires diplomacy, data, and discernment. Ann’s reputation flowed from that balance. She was a counselor in the truest sense—able to translate potential into plans, and plans into acceptances.
By the early 1970s, the family had planted firm roots in Litchfield County. The rhythm of the school year framed their lives: fall visits, winter decisions, spring letters, and summer resets. It was a world where every season had purpose, and Ann’s work gave it continuity.
The MacFarlane Family
The MacFarlane home produced a pair of accomplished artists. Seth MacFarlane, born in 1973, became the creator of Family Guy, American Dad!, The Orville, and more—an animator, writer, director, and performer with a distinct voice and a taste for musical theater. Rachael MacFarlane, born in 1976, built her career as a voice actor and writer, heard by millions on animated television and in audiobooks. Rachael is married to artist Spencer Laudiero; they have two daughters, Bella Francesca and Perrin Elizabeth—Ann’s granddaughters.
Ann wasn’t a public figure, but her children’s public expressions of love and gratitude—on television, in interviews, and through philanthropy—speak to the foundation she created. Home, for Ann, was a launchpad and a lighthouse.
Family Snapshot
| Name | Relation | Born | Notability/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronald “Ron” MacFarlane | Spouse | — | Educator; married Ann in 1970 |
| Seth MacFarlane | Son | 1973 | Animator, writer, director, producer, performer |
| Rachael MacFarlane | Daughter | 1976 | Voice actor, writer |
| Spencer Laudiero | Son-in-law | — | Artist; married to Rachael |
| Bella Francesca | Granddaughter | — | Daughter of Rachael and Spencer |
| Perrin Elizabeth | Granddaughter | — | Daughter of Rachael and Spencer |
Public Mentions and Media Tributes
Ann’s passing was acknowledged in mainstream media. In July 2010, Larry King offered a public remembrance on his program, a brief but heartfelt nod to a mother who shaped one of television’s most prolific creators. That autumn, Family Guy’s ninth-season opener, “And Then There Were Fewer,” carried a dedication to her memory. A title card—simple, direct, and deeply personal—underscored how profoundly she mattered to the people behind the show.
These moments were small, but they carried the weight of gratitude. Television is a communal medium; a dedication is a way for creators, cast, and crew to grieve and to honor, together.
Legacy, Character, and Causes
People who knew Ann highlight two core traits: care and clarity. She cared about family, students, and animals. And she brought clarity to crossroads—those difficult moments when choices must be made and futures charted. After her death, a meaningful strand of her legacy took shape in animal welfare. “Perry’s Place,” an initiative within a Los Angeles–area animal sanctuary, honors her memory and her love of animals. The tribute is fitting: a warm, safe space for the vulnerable, named for someone who made others feel seen and supported.
In the stories that survive, Ann is never the loudest character. She is the constant—steady as the school bell, vital as the counselor who answers one more question. The measure of her life isn’t celebrity; it’s the contour of lives she helped set on course.
Selected Timeline
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1947 | Birth in the Newburyport area of Massachusetts |
| 1970 | Marries Ronald Milton “Ron” MacFarlane |
| Early 1970s | Moves to Kent, Connecticut; begins long association with schools |
| 1973 | Birth of son, Seth MacFarlane |
| 1976 | Birth of daughter, Rachael MacFarlane |
| July 16, 2010 | Dies at age 63 after a battle with cancer |
| September 2010 | Family Guy dedicates “And Then There Were Fewer” to her memory |
| 2011 | “Perry’s Place” emerges as a memorial within an animal sanctuary |
FAQ
Who was Ann Perry Sager?
She was a Massachusetts-born school administrator and college-guidance professional, known publicly as the mother of Seth and Rachael MacFarlane.
When did she live?
She was born in 1947 and died on July 16, 2010, at age 63.
What did she do professionally?
She worked in education, primarily in school admissions and college counseling, including within the South Kent/Kent School community.
Was she involved in entertainment?
No; her career was in education, though she was honored in entertainment contexts by her children and their colleagues.
Who was her spouse?
She married Ronald Milton “Ron” MacFarlane in 1970.
Who are her children?
Her children are Seth MacFarlane (b. 1973) and Rachael MacFarlane (b. 1976).
How was she memorialized on television?
A Family Guy episode in 2010 carried a dedication to her memory, and Larry King publicly acknowledged her passing.
Did she have social media accounts?
No; she died in 2010, and there is no official social media presence associated with her.
Where did she live?
She grew up in the Newburyport area of Massachusetts and later lived in Kent, Connecticut.
What is “Perry’s Place”?
It’s a memorial initiative within an animal sanctuary named in her honor, reflecting her love of animals.
