Anna Kay Haddon

Anna Kay Haddon (Maiden name, Roberts) passed away unexpectedly on May 22, 2024 at North Kansas City Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She was 83 years old. Anna opted to make an anatomical donation, donating her body to medical science after death for research, education, and training purposes.

Anna is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Marie, Kimberly’s husband Ulf, and three grandchildren, Mattias (15), Josefin (13) and Noah (8), of Naperville, Illinois.

Anna was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up there living with her mother, Katherine Roberts. Anna went to Mercy High School and thrived there as an active, bright and popular student. She excelled in both the classroom, consistently on the Honor Roll, and outside the classroom, as Student Council Vice President, a member of the cheerleading team and pep club, a yearbook staff writer, a member of the football court and football prom queen in 1959. She was enrolled one semester at the University of Missouri, Columbia, before she began her long career in the airline industry, working for Ozark Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and finally, American Airlines.

Working for the airlines gave her a space for independence and fueled her sense of adventure and curiosity – opening her eyes to the world and providing her with the opportunity to travel and experience new cultures and places – an opportunity she joyfully shared with her daughter on many occasions. Anna enjoyed travelling, and often spoke about trips she took to Israel, Japan, and her favorite, Ireland, where she traced her family roots, Closer to home, she spoke fondly of trips with Kimberly as a child to New York, Hawaii, and Disney – she liked Mickey and Minnie Mouse and recalled it as the “happiest place on earth.” Anna also loved home and was satisfied to stay put, proudly displaying a framed cross-stitch near her front door that was from her mom and read “Travel East, Travel West, After All, Home is Best.”

Anna was a woman of strong and deep faith, which she often credited for her perseverance through very tough times in life. She lived her faith every day, saying her morning prayers and including everyone in her life that needed guidance or support in those prayers. Anna was private and kept her faith close to her heart, and she was grateful to the core for all her blessings. What Anna’s life lacked in material wealth and an earthly father, is made up by riches beyond this earth and the everlasting love of an Eternal Father.

Anna appreciated her good health, and took care of her mind and body religiously. She enjoyed reading, visiting the Claycomo Library regularly, and she enjoyed a good T.V. show like Wheel of Fortune or Dateline. She stayed active and enjoying walking, but she especially loved her exercise classes and friends at the Maple Woods Community College fitness center, where she was a dedicated member for many years. She was thoughtful about her diet and her budget, but enjoyed going out for a steak dinner to celebrate special occasions and she ended many meals with her favorite dessert, cookies.

Anna loved dogs and would loosely quote Mark Twain saying “The more I know about people, the better I like dogs.” She loved three dogs in her adult life – Ginger, Lady and Dolly – many were surprised there wasn’t a fourth, but Dolly was a constant, loving and loyal companion and a devastating loss for Anna.

Anna had a strong character – she was disciplined, stern at times, loyal, smart, genuine and incredibly thoughtful. She checked-in on people often, loved to talk about weather, remembered birthdays, and celebrated memories and milestones the old-fashioned way, with a greeting card in the mail (often Snoopy-themed and usually the first to arrive) or a phone call from her telephone that hung on the kitchen wall.

Most importantly Anna deeply loved her family and her close friends. She was proud of her daughter, really enjoyed time spent with her grandkids, and was so grateful for friends who weathered the ups and downs of life with her and stayed in touch even when physically seeing one another became impossible.

Finally, when her grandchildren were asked how they would describe their grandma, here are the first words that came to mind: friendly, kind, open-minded, joyful, selfless, funny and caring. What a wonderful way to be remembered. Rest in Peace, Anna Kay. You were so very loved.

Despite her limited resources, Anna gave regularly to Little Sisters of the Poor, whose mission is to care for the poor and elderly, and to the Humane Society, to support the welfare of animals.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in Anna’s name to either of these organizations, or one with a similar mission. Thank You.

Anna Kay’s Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, September 21, at 2:00 PM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3130 Parkwood Lane, Maryland Heights, MO 63043. All those remembering her are welcome to share a meal together afterward at The Pasta House Company, 700 N. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141. Fond memories or special stories of Anna Kay can be shared with the Larsson family at [email protected]. Thank you for remembering Anna Kay.