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Anna Lucera Dailey - Class of 1967

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 18/Aug/2023
71.223.78.20

    On August 6, 2023, Anna Dailey, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully in her home.

Anna was born in 1949 in Brooklyn, New York to Anna and Joseph Lucera. Her family later moved upstate to New Windsor where she graduated from high school at Newburgh Free Academy in 1967. That same year she met the love of her life, Dennis Dailey, when they began a courtship that extended through his tour of duty in Vietnam. They were married in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Newburgh, New York in 1969 and over the next two years added two children, Dennis and Kim, to their family. They moved to the west coast and ultimately settled in Albany, Oregon. Anna and Dennis lived there until 2017 when they moved to Eagle, Idaho to be near their grandchildren.

Anna had fond memories of growing up in Brooklyn living near all of her aunts, uncles and cousins. She often told funny stories of the antics of her and her cousins entertaining themselves as city kids. She was remembered as friendly and quick with a smile and she loved her family dearly.

As a young woman, Anna's greatest pleasure was being a mom. She was a stay at home mom for many years and was a nurturing, loving mother to her kids. As they grew older, Anna joined the workforce and spent most of her professional life as a Personnel Manager. She obtained the nickname "bubbles" because of her bubbly personality. Even decades later, her former work friends shared their fond memories of hearing the clickety-clack of her heels on the tile floor along with her laugh echoing throughout the store. After retirement, Anna worked as the secretary for Lebanon First Baptist Church where she made many friends, helped countless members of the congregation, and most importantly had the opportunity to grow in her faith.

Anna and Dennis were partners for life during their 54 years of marriage. They enjoyed many activities together. She was always up for an adventure- she ran her first marathon at the age of 45, loved riding on the back of Dennis' Gold Wing, and enjoyed hikes and ATV rides. She was an avid walker and as long as her health allowed, she continued to marvel at nature on the trails throughout her neighborhood. Anna and Dennis spent countless hours "just going for a drive" to explore nature's beauty.

Anna loved being a grandmother. She was known to organize tea parties for her granddaughters, take the kids on shopping sprees at candy stores, and even play jokes by making them paper clothes for Christmas. She was a very hands-on Grandma and loved playing games, going on outings and watching movies with them. She was family-famous for her spaghetti and meatballs and her dinners will long be missed.

Anna had an infectious laugh that often accompanied "happy tears". Her positive outlook and sense of humor were contagious and exemplified who she was as a person. She treated everyone as God's children and viewed them without judgment. She was truly a selfless individual. In the midst of a terminal illness, she would still take the time to ask how others were doing and when asked how she was feeling, the answer was always "I feel great!".

There are so many wonderful qualities about Anna but the most important was her limitless faith in the Lord. She never asked "Why me?" and she appreciated every day she spent on this earth. She fought hard up until the end but always said that she knew she was in God's hands and would leave this earth with no fear. And she did just that.

Anna is survived by her husband Dennis Dailey of Eagle, Idaho, son Dennis and his wife Margo Dailey of Portland, Oregon, daughter Kim and her husband Stephen Nadler of Eagle, Idaho and grandchildren including Max, Maggie and Abbey Nadler. She is survived by her mother, Anna Lucera, of New Windsor, New York, sister Theresa Dmytryszyn and brother Dominick Lucera. She was preceded in death by her father Joseph Lucera. She was also well-loved by Dennis' family and is survived by Kay and Jim McCammon of Lebanon, Oregon and Cindy and Steve Lehto of Albany, Oregon as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Glenn and Esther Dailey.

No memorial service is planned at this time but a Celebration of Life will occur on a future date.

Published by Albany Democrat-Herald from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2023.