Anne Pierce

Practical in every way, Anne Pierce was an independent woman with a great sense of humor. With a positive attitude and determination, she was a wonderful inspiration and example to many, especially her family whom she loved dearly. A loyal woman who would and did everything for her family, Anne will be long remembered as a special part of the many hearts she leaves behind.

The year 1919 was a turning point in our nation’s history. With the end of World War I, the New Year offered a fresh beginning for many as Americans looked for ways to prosper their economies. Born on May 5, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio, Anne was an added blessing in the lives of her parents, Anna and William. Her mother emigrated to the U.S. from the Carpathian Mountains, having made her way across Europe by herself while her sister sponsored her welcome arrival. Before Anne’s father immigrated to America from Eastern Europe he worked on the family farm in the old country. Once in the U.S. he began working in the coal mines in Pennsylvania before moving to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked the rail yards.

The “on-call” mother so to speak in the family, Anne was the second oldest child and eldest girl of eventually six children. She grew up with her brothers, Bill, John, Mike and George and sister Lou. Anne often took care of the household duties along with tending to her siblings while her mother, who taught herself to speak, write and read English, worked long hours as a maid and laundress. When Anne was older she worked at various jobs to help support her family, especially during the Depression. In fact, Anne purchased her family’s very first Christmas tree when she was just 16 years old. Throughout her formative years Anne was raised in the Byzantine Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph’s Byzantine Catholic Church.

In the late 1930s Anne’s life took on new meaning when she attended an area dance. After meeting a handsome young man there named Andrew Piriczki, Anne’s heart was swept away and the feeling was mutual. She met Andrew before World War II and the pair exchanged many letters while he served in the South Pacific. During this time Anne volunteered for the Red Cross making bandages during the war. Upon Andrew’s return at the war’s end, she and Andrew exchanged vows of marriage on July 27, 1946 at her longtime church home, St. Joseph’s Byzantine Catholic Church.

As newlyweds, Anne worked at General Electric’s Nela Park Lighting plant. Andrew found work as a machinist at Warner & Swazey. She and Andrew did a little traveling to Niagara Falls,

Las Vegas and Florida. They also enjoyed nights out dancing, bowling, attending dinner parties and playing cards with family and some of their many friends.

In late 1955 Anne began feeling ill. Worried, she talked herself into believing she was dying and braced herself for the grim news. Before relenting and finally seeing the doctor, Anne cleaned her house from top to bottom and cooked meals for her husband Andrew. Astonished and elated at the same time, Anne’s life once again turned in a new direction when the doctor informed her that she was pregnant. After ten years of marriage their son Andrew John was born on July 26, 1956. He was most definitely a welcome surprise and anniversary gift all in one. Making a good home for her family, Anne stayed home to raise him. It was only when Drew began school did Anne return to the work force working in the produce department of local market.

The year 1964 found Anne and her family moving to the suburb of Bedford, Ohio. For over 20 years she worked as a dental assistant while Andrew worked as a court reporter and later as supervisor of the Clerk’s Office at Cuyahoga County’s Juvenile Court. Anne passed on family traditions and cooking Eastern European dishes to A.J. Some of her specialties included stuffed peppers, stuffed cabbage and pierogies. Ann , Andrew and Drew had frequent get -to-gethers with Lou and her brother’s families. She Drew, Lou, Keith and Craig traveled to Expo 67 in Montreal and had many stories to share especially the one about the pie. Anne enjoyed having fun and even took Drew to a Beatles concert in 1966 at Cleveland Stadium.

She loved sending greeting cards to family and friends for birthday’s and other special occasions. Some of her other interests were a love for reading, the Easter holiday and anything chocolate. Anne especially loved to shop, however she didn’t really acquire a lot of stuff because she returned most of what she bought.

Anne and Andrew worked tirelessly to give A.J. an education. They were proud when he began attending the University of Tampa where he earned his BS in Marine Biology and Economics. When A.J. met and then married Kris in 1988, they were extremely happy for their son. They were thrilled when they learned they were going to be grandparents five years later. Their granddaughters Liz and Katrina were the delight of their life. After A.J. went back to school to earn his Doctor of Pharmacy degree, Anne and Andrew moved to Holland, Michigan to be closer to their son and his family. Once settled into their new apartment they so enjoyed, they were grateful to find a place close to them. Anne and Andrew took an active role involved in the lives of their special girls. They cared for Liz and Katrina after school and attended all their school functions and events.

Following 61 years of marriage, Anne’s beloved Andrew sadly passed away at Hospice of Holland on August 25th, 2007. Anne continued to live independently and was blessed to have many people in the Holland area looking out for her. From the JC Penney hair salon to the team at North Pointe Apartments, many were concerned for her well being and showed her wonderful compassion during this time. Ever strong and determined, Anne forged on and as a member of Evergreen Commons, she attended exercise classes. She enjoyed keeping her granddaughters fed with special treats and continued to attend their performances and school functions. Anne absolutely loved spoiling her granddaughters at every opportunity and often provided them with all the things they couldn’t get at home, like sugared cereal.

Anne continued to live independently for some time and although her pace slowed down after back surgery in 2009, she remained quite healthy. In May she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and never stopped pushing to get better. Her determined spirit and positive attitude was second to none. An inspiration to many, Anne’s love of life made in impression on many. Although she was not overly sentimental or mushy about things, Anne possessed a determined spirit with a very loving heart even from a young age.

With her wonderful sense of humor, Anne loved caring for her family and friends. Her positive attitude and determination went beyond words. Sadly, at the age of 91, Anne Pierce passed away on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at Hospice House of Holland. She will dearly missed and lovingly remembered.

Besides her husband, Anne was preceded in death by her brothers: Bill, Mike, John and George. She is survived by her son, Andrew John “A.J.” (Kris); granddaughters, Liz and Katrina of Holland, MI; her sister, Lou LoVullo of Seven Hills; sisters-in-law: Shirley Covan of Sagamore Hills, MaryJane Chovan of Sagamore Hills; nephews: Craig (Marcey) LoVullo of South Euclid, Keith (Denise) LoVullo of Parma; nieces and nephews: Claudia (Ron) Chapek of Cleveland, Danette Covan of Sagamore Hills, Bob Piriczki (Becky) of Euclid, Dianne Suchy of Lyndhurst, Bruce (Sally) Templeman of Garfield Heights; grand-nephews: Anthony and Josh LoVullo, Jeff, Chris and Nick Chapek, Sean Templeman and Brian Suchy; grand-nieces: Carly LoVullo, Nicole Suchy, April and Holly Templeman.

Visitation will be from 7-9 PM Thursday, August 19, 2010 at The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 295 Douglas Avenue, Holland, Michigan with a wake service at 9:00 PM. Services will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in North Olmstead, Ohio with visitation from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Holland or Rest Haven Patron Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Anne’s online guest registry or to share a photo or favorite memory.