Anna Louise McCormack, 91, of Albany, died April 15, 2013, at her home.
A lifelong resident of Albany, Anna Louise was the daughter of the late Robert Emmet and Louise Keller McCormack. She was the sister of Bee McCormack of Albany, and the late Bob McCormack Jr. She attended Albany Public Schools, Mount de Chantal Academy in Wheeling WV, and Georgia State College for Women in Milledgeville, Ga.
She was retired Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Bobs Candies, Inc., a local industry founded by her father where she was employed for fifty years. Bobs was one of the principal industries in Albany from 1919 to 2005.
Anna Louise was active in the Arts and civic affairs of Albany. She served as President of the Albany Museum of Art and co-chair of its Building Campaign. She served as President of the Albany Concert Association, Vice-President of the Albany Area Arts Council, and Co-chairman of the United Way Campaign. She had been a director of the Albany Symphony Association, the Dougherty County Library Board, the Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army, where she was chairman of the Christmas Fund. She was chosen Albany's co-Woman of the Year (with her sister Bee McCormack) in 1978. She was named Albany's Volunteer of the Year in 1998 and was designated a "Woman of Distinction" by the Girl Scouts in 2003.
Anna Louise was retired Vice-Chairman of the Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Authority, and served as Finance Chairman of Phoebe Putney Health Systems during its first years of rapid expansion. In a lifetime of involvement in community projects, her work on the Board of the hospital was one of her most cherished achievements. In honor of her more than twenty years of distinguished service, the fountain at the entrance to Phoebe Putney Hospital was dedicated in her honor in 2000.
A faithful lifetime member of St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Anna Louise was a founder of the Catholic Youth Organization and Director of the Youth Choir for many years. During this time her choir was first in the Savannah Diocese to introduce folk music into the liturgy. In recognition of her services to the church she received the "Pro Deum et Juventatum" medal (For God and Youth) from Bishop Thomas McDonough of the Diocese of Savannah. In 1993 Anna Louise was invested by Archbishop Francis B. Schulte of the Diocese of New Orleans into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the five major chivalric orders of the Catholic Church dating back to the 12th century.
Anna Louise's hobby was cooking, at which, friends and family agree, she excelled. For many years she was host each week to her whole family, plus friends, for bountiful Sunday dinners. She was never happier than on these occasions. She also enjoyed providing her famous cheese straws or Swedish wedding cookies for friends and for special family occasions.
She loved to entertain in her home and in her garden and especially enjoyed hosting class reunions with her Albany High School class of 1938. An enthusiastic gardener, her flower gardens were a delight to all who visited or passed her home. She enjoyed travel, especially to operas and musical events. She was devoted to the Albany Symphony and often expressed her pride that Albany had an orchestra of such excellence.
She is survived by her sister, Bee McCormack, her sister-in-law, Louise (Mrs. Bob Jr.) McCormack , of Albany, four nieces and nephews and their spouses,-- Bob and Creel McCormack of Atlanta, Mary Helen Dykes of Albany, Gregory and Dina McCormack of Draper, Utah, Julie and Ira Roth of Athens, Ga. -- and ten great nephews and nieces.
Also dear friend and helper, Oscar Wilson.
Visitation will begin at 6 PM at Kimbrell-Stern on Thursday, April 18, and prayer vigil will be held at Kimbrell-Stern at 7PM. A Requiem Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Teresa's Church at 11 AM on Friday, April 19. Interment will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Teresa's Church, St. Clare's Center, The Phoebe Foundation, the Albany Symphony or the charity of your choice.
- 2013