Anna Curry Sanford

Born February 17, 1945, in Charlevoix, Michigan, a daughter of Alex and Constance A. (Sayles) Curry, Anna was raised in Petoskey. She graduated from Petoskey High School and continued her education at Wayne State University where she received her Bachelor and Masters Degree in Nursing. A Marquette area resident since 1982, Anna was employed with Hematology/Oncology and Marquette General Hospital Radiation and Oncology. For many years she was a professor of Nursing at Northern Michigan University. During her time at Northern, she traveled many times for NMU in a nurse exchange program with South Africa. She retired from NMU in 2010. Anna was a member of the American Association of University Women. She enjoyed the great outdoors and all it had to offer including hiking, camping, and as a MSU Certified Master Gardener, gardening. In her leisure, she enjoyed sewing, knitting, baking bread, tracing family genealogy, and was an avid reader who enjoyed the camaraderie of her book club. However, her most fulfilling activity was watching her grandchildren grow up.

Anna is survived by her husband, Douglas L. Sanford, whom she married in 1982; her daughters, Mary Sanford (Wayne) Lovro, Erica Lynn Sanford (fiance, Jeremy Vanslambrouck); honorary daughters, Rebecca (Andrew) Bahrman and Bethany Pirman (fiance, Sabrina VanAuker); honorary son, William Pirman; her grandchildren, Cheyanne, Morgan, Cody, Ivy, Belinda, Jared, Kenny, and honorary grandson, Charles; a sister-in-law, Sally Bradford; brother, Gordon Fraley; cousins in Boyne City; and close neighbors and loving friends.

A Celebration of Life, honoring Anna, will be held at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Saturday, March 9, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm. Rev. Kevin Taylor will officiate. The celebration will conclude at 2:00 pm. This will be a time for the sharing of memories, conversation, and dessert.

In lieu of flowers, plant a tree or start a garden in Anna’s memory.

Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.