Obituary of Anna Legarski

September 7, 1924 - March 7, 2020

Anna Legarski.  Age 95 of Ecorse.

Beloved wife of the late Joseph Legarski.  Dearest mother of Marjorie Natt (the late Joseph), Ronald (Anjelica) Legarski, Charles (Kimberly) Legarski and Mary Anne Legarski.  Grandmother of Ronald Jr., Lisa, Leslianne, the late Kristen, Scott, Sal and Beverly.  Loving GG to Quinn, Great Grandmother of Quinn, Sophia, Hunter, Trey and Grayson.  Dearest sister of Elizabeth Blackburn, the late John Patronik and Helen Cebron.  Dear friend of Loretta Randall.  Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial contributions in honor of Anna Legarski are appreciated to St. Andre Bessette Parish.

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Anna grew up in Central City, Pennsylvania and enjoyed a loving childhood which she fondly remembered.  Her parents immigrated from Czechoslovakia. Anna’s mother died when she was 16 and Anna quit school to help care for her family.  As a young adult, she moved to Detroit with friends and worked in the Saint Francis orphanage. During World War II, she joined the ranks of women working in factories to support the military effort.  

Anna and Joe were married on May 8, 1945 and lived in Ecorse, Michigan, where Joe worked at Great Lakes Steel.   They raised their four children in Ecorse, all of whom continue to have lifelong friends from this working class community.  Just as Joe and Anna were linked to their Pennsylvania roots, their children were taught to always remember where their roots were planted.

Anna led a life of service to her husband, family, church and community.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, active in the PTA, and always volunteered to chaperone the various school activities of her children.  She enjoyed working in local elections and for years served as a Precinct Captain. She served in the Altar Society of her church. As a senior citizen, she became a pen pal to a 3rd grade class at School #3, where her children were educated.  She “adopted” the class and sent letters and birthday cards to them through the year. She participated in Young at Heart, a group of the Ecorse Community Senior Center. She was honored as Downriver Woman/Mother of the Year.

She had a kind and loving spirit.  Her home was open to friends and family who loved to gather around her table and enjoy her wonderful cooking and baking skills.  Her kindness extended to strangers. She enjoyed sending cards, letters and postcards to keep in touch and uplift those who needed it.  She is personally responsible for keeping Loveland Hallmark in business!

Anna enjoyed travel, crafts, camping, reading and music, especially listening to polkas and country.  She enjoyed a bit of chance at various casinos, especially the bus trips to Kalamazoo with the American Legion Post 217.   Anna had a deep and enduring faith. She was a fierce prayer warrior, frequently called upon to pray for those in need. Although she had a quiet nature, when she spoke, she said volumes.  She possessed a great sense of humor and spunk!

When she was graced with grandchildren, her home became their anchor of meals and family activities and traditions.  Everyone gathered at Grandma’s where hearts and bodies were nourished. Grandma cooked, played board games, and loved her grandbabies dearly.  Her great grandchildren were a blessing of continued love, especially her precious Quinn, who was fortunate to live close to her Gigi. 

Anna and her siblings had a close bond that began in childhood and continued throughout their lives.  Despite being separated by geography, they always managed to reconnect. Their love for each other was evident and hearing their laughter and stories during a wicked game of pinochle was heartwarming.

When Anna’s eyesight began to diminish, she carried on, never complaining or feeling sorry for herself.  She was strong, determined and graceful. As she ascends, her spirit can be continued through faith and loving acts of kindness and selflessness.  

This will be the first season of Tiger baseball without Anna at the plate.  She will be loved and missed forever.

With love from your Christmas Baby….