Mar 16, 2014 -    16 Condolences

Anne O’Rourke

anneorourkeAnne F. O’Rourke, 90, of Merritt Island, passed away on March 16, 2014 at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay.

Anne was born April 16, 1923 in Port Chester, New York and raised in Pelham. She moved to Miami, Florida in 1957 and married Francis O’Rourke in 1958. Francis preceded her in death in April 1980. Anne worked in food service for Dade County Public Schools and later in office work.

She moved to Merritt Island in June 2010.  Anne is survived by her daughter Cathy (Reuel) Ely and granddaughters Lauren and Jennifer Ely.

Anne was a devout Catholic and loved spending time with family and friends. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday 10:00a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Merritt Island.

16 Condolences

  • Anne was Bill’s cousin and living near her the past three years has been a joy for us and our family. When Bill was a child Anne took care of him and never tired of telling him what a devil he was. She even remembered his childhood frineds! Even in Hospice she continued telling funny stories about our large family of uncles, aunts and cousins and of course our beloved Grandmother. We admired her faith in God and the Church and her love of her family. I know when Anne starts telling God some of her stories there will be a lot more laughing in Heaven.

    Harriet & Billy

  • Fond memories of Anne will always be with me. Wonderful childhood memories, always upbeat and smiling, encouraging me to be and do my best. I can recall Anne egging me on as a young boy to be a baseball player, even bought me a catcher’s mitt and ball so I could play. Anne will be missed, a tremendous loss for us all.

  • Dear Cathy, Reuel, Lauren and Jennifer,

    How we are going to miss our Godmother Anne. She was one of a kind so loving, caring and generous. She had the gift of telling stories, jokes, and she knew every family member and their health concerns! She never forgot birthdays, weddings and anniversaries! She will truly be missed but know that she is with her Frank and our Mom & Dad as well. Anne will never be forgotten.
    Love to you with our deepest sympathy.

  • Dear Cathy and family,
    I’m so sorry for the loss of Aunt Anne in your life. She always seemed bigger than life to me on her many visits to see my mom, her cousin. Mom loved Anne so much. Anne was all about family. It was always so important to her for us all to know each other. I have letters with her explaining to me who was who in our extended family as I never really knew them. I remember calling her Aunt Holland and her correcting me saying “no, it’s O’Rourke!” She loved her Frank and you Cathy. And she adored her grand daughters! Always bragging how smart and talented they were :). I hope knowing she will always be there looking out over you all brings you comfort.
    Love Pam Johnson

  • Cathy, Our dearest condolences to you and your family on the great loss of your mother. We will always remember her vivaciousness and great sense of humor. But most of all, we will remember her deep love for family and relatives.
    Love, Joy and Bill

  • Cathy,

    I am so sorry to hear of Ann’s passing, but I do know God’s ways are best and no more suffering. You will be in my thoughts and prayers are always with you. Love, Peggy.

  • Dear Cathy, Reuel, Lauren, and Jennifer,

    Anne is now with the love of her life, Frank. God bless the two of them for they gave me my best friend, Cathy, and goddaughter, Lauren. I will never forget the funny stories Anne told us. She was a true inspiration. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love Kathy

  • Dear Kathy and family I’m so sorry of the loss of Ann she was beautiful woman inside and out. I had the pleasure of being her hair dresser for awhile and always looked forward to our weekly visits. Ann loved her family very much and talked about you all the time! I will miss her very much.
    Xo Debi

  • My condolences go out to the family. Anne was a dear friend to my mother, Joan Zekala.

  • Dear Cathy, Reuel, Lauren and Jennifer,

    I have heard about beautiful Anne and handsome Francis all my life! One of Anne’s greatest blessings, surely, was family. You are each such an important part of her legacy…treasure those precious memories and shared characteristics. I know Jesus is holding you close during this sad time. Sharing Psalm 147:3 with you, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Know that you are loved and never, ever alone. With big warm hugs,

    Maura

  • I am grateful to God for the love that Anne generous shared with me and with all. I will offer Mass for her today, March 20, at the noon Mass at Saint Mary Star of the Sea Basilica.
    God bless you Cathy and your entire family during this difficult time of loss.
    Love, John Baker

  • We were blessed by getting to know Anne even for a short time. We enjoyed her love for baseball and lighthouses. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Steve and Zona

  • Anna was such a sweet lady. We will miss her and her wonderful stories. She was one of those types of people you get to meet once in a lifetime, she was so much fun and we’ll miss her. Love you all and thinking and praying for you.

    John & Patty

  • anne is the last member of my mother’s family and so holds a special place. my uncle francis was beloved by all of us. my son Patrick has a small table in his home where (frank) francis stored his pipes and tobacco and the drawer still smells of those burnished wood pipes, and brings back memories of his handsome and loving self. I know anne loved him deeply. cathy and reuel you are shining lights of generosity and love for your mother. love enid

  • I was proud to be Anne’s Goddaughter. Mom and Dad blessed us with a good one, that’s for sure. Anne was a positive force in my life. She believed in me when I felt no one else did. I will never forget the ballet shoes she bought for me when I was really way too young to have them, but noooo, Anne believed I could be a ballerina even at such a young age. Her visits to our home throughout the decades were always such happy times for me. She loved family and loved The Johnson kids as if they were her own. Filled with love and laughter and a spark that lit up any room, Anne was my shining star. She is now with all those she lost throughout the years and rejoicing in the reunion. I am happy for her to be with all of them and no longer suffering the pains she had on earth. I know she will still look after her daughter and family from heaven, and become their guardian angel. She would have it no other way. I am sure of that. I will always, hold Anne in my heart. My prayers are for her family, Cathy, Reuel, Lauren and Jennifer who I know will miss her so very much. May God Bless You. Love Candy Johnson Casey and Richard.

  • Cathy and family, The world is a little less full of life and laughter with Aunt Anne being gone. I will hold many happy memories close to my heart. She loved Cathy, Cathy’s husband and grand- daughters with so much passion and pride. I loved hearing her stories, accomplishments and activities of all her loved ones. Likewise, after a visit to my home, she bragged every time we talked about wanting to have my home as her own. Always complimenting others. All she ever worried about was her Cathy being alone in life’s journey. Well Aunt Anne forged enough relationships to keep you, Cathy, and your family in our thoughts and prayers forever more. My heart is sad for her loss, but knowing she is with her beloved Frank, my parents, and so many other loved ones, makes me happy and feel like they are all looking after us – or too busy partying! My love and prayers are with you and your family. Love Cindy Johnson Bailey

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