Anna (Anne) Margaret Tierney Angel was born to Edward Tierney and Mary Cecilia Quiett on August 16, 1912, in Kansas City, Kansas, the fourth of eight children. She had a very challenging childhood. Her mother unexpectedly died in 1925. It left Anne - then 12 - most of the responsibility of caring for three of her brothers. Her task was compounded when little brother Ed fell from a school slide and hit his head. The children took him home in their wagon to heal. No doctor was called, and months later Ed developed seizures and was thereafter handicapped. This is her story. Anne was an industrious young girl. She got a job at Style Book Cleaners, pressing and repairing garments, while attending St. James School. She cared for her two younger brothers, graduated from Bartlett Beauty School in 1929, and survived the Depression working as a beautician in Kansas City. Anne supplemented her income by working at cosmetology conventions, hand modeling jewelry and artificial fingernails, demonstrating false eyelashes, and showing off the newest hairstyles and fashionable hats. Anne had three loves in her lifetime. She fell in love with an accomplished pilot and a World War I Ace. When California was hit by a serious earthquake, he volunteered to help in the crisis. In heavy fog, his plane hit a mountainside and he was killed. Next, while Anne was busy working and helping with the family, she became engaged to an attorney. She kept putting off a marriage date and her fiance' tired of the situation and met someone else: a serious blow. In 1940, Anne met Joseph W. Angel, Sr., an AT&T telegrapher, and they married April 28, 1942. Son Joseph, Jr. (J.W. or Jay) was born February 23, 1944. In 1948, while Anne was still working, her pregnant sister-in-law Leona was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died the day after giving birth to a baby girl, also named Leona. Anne invited her brother Julian and the baby to live with the Angels until Julian could manage. "Nonnie" became a lifetime daughter to Anne. Anne and Joseph divorced in 1949. She was now a single mother, working full time and raising J.W. Her siblings had made their own ways; disabled Ed, Jr. remained in the Tierney family home with his father and widowed brother Julian. Then Anne's father died and later Julian had a stroke, leaving Ed without care. Anne and J.W. went to stay with Ed for six weeks - and never left. Anne enrolled Ed in a Goodwill rehabilitation program and he became an older brother to J.W. In 1985 when Anne could no longer safely manage Ed's care, she admitted him to a residential care center for disabled senior citizens, St. Joseph's Home. She remained committed to him until his death in 1998. Anne visited daily and was recognized for her volunteer work in 1991 when she was honored at the Annual Bishop's Recognition Dinner. Professionally, Anne grew. After her divorce, she started her financial career at a collection agency. Titles have changed, but Anne was proud to say that she was the first woman officer ever for City National Bank (now known as United Missouri Bank). She worked in collections for the small loan department; was a tenacious representative, but always a lady. She was given the responsibility of training new employees, usually college-educated men. After her retirement, Anne elected to volunteer for numerous Catholic charities. She also performed for civic groups as "Buttons" the clown. At 85, with eyesight and hearing challenges, Anne made the brave decision to move to Portland to be near son J.W. and the grandchildren. She didn't skip a beat: enjoying making new friends, walking near her home in S.W. Portland, and traveling. She was always ready for a new adventure and enjoyed meeting the people. Anne was often seen about town in one of her perky hats, with a welcoming smile and a hearty laugh. Anne was "Irish" and always proud to say that her maiden name was Tierney and from a big Catholic family. But, study uncovered that her roots were likely from Prince Edward Island in Canada, more Scottish than solidly Irish. An angel (or Anne Angel) took flight from her home on December 27, 2013. Anne was preceded in death by all seven brothers and sisters, Mary Cecilia, Julian, Harry, Edward, Cecilia, and twins George and Frederick. Anne is survived by her son Joseph W. Angel, Portland, OR; nieces and nephews Leona Dekat, Kansas City, MO; G. Allen Johnson, Ferndale, WA; Patricia Anne Burns, Fontana, KS; and Mary Beth Quick, Basehor, KS. Grandchildren Shannon Wiltz, Zachariah, Christopher, and Benjamin Angel, Portland, OR; Aimee Angel, New South Wales, Australia; and Peter Angel, San Francisco, CA. Great grandchildren Joshua, Ian and Kathryn Wiltz. Another very special person in Anne's life was Lorena Fletcher. Lorena was Anne's companion and caregiver for eleven years. Lorena loved Anne and was devoted to her care.

Published in Kansas City Star on Jan. 5, 2014