Anne Pirog

The daughter of Mary (Zyla) Gromko and Michael Gromko, Anne graduated from Manchester Central High School, Class of 1939 and was employed as a teenager at Alma's Tea Room. During World War II she made parachutes and jungle hammocks in Manchester, NH before moving to Inglewood, CA to make airplane wings for Mitchell bombers. Anne was also employed by Brookshire Knitting Mills and Pandora Sweaters. Later in life she regularly volunteered at the Elliot Hospital, knitting over 1,000 hats for newborn babies.

Anne loved knitting, sewing, crafting and gardening. She always had a beautiful flower and vegetable garden; a testament to the diligent and steadfast care she brought to all aspects of her life. A strong and independent woman years ahead of her time, she had a great sense of humor, enjoyed playing bingo and loved her dogs Lady and Moxie. Her homemade Faberge eggs should be national treasures. She suffered no fools and even in her nineties frequently talked politics and current events with both breadth and depth.

Undeterred by progressing macular degeneration and with the help of her daughter-in-law Suzanne and son James, Anne entered the computer age with gusto and excitement. On this bold new medium she both chatted online with her children and grandchildren and continued to write the emotive poems and memorable short stories she loved to craft. She also took great interest in tracking her family genealogy; unveiling previously unknown relations dating hundreds of years earlier.

The mother of four men Anne also developed close relationships with daughters-in-law Suzanne Pirog and Lillian Pirog. They were both very important parts of Anne’s life. Her son Gary was her primary caretaker for many years.

Anne was predeceased by her husband, Michael Pirog Sr, her son James Pirog, her brother James Gromko and her sister, Sofia Perun. Anne leaves her sons Gary Pirog and John Pirog, of Manchester, Michael Pirog Jr. of Atkinson, grandson Michael Pirog of San Francisco, CA, granddaughters Erika Pirog of Portsmouth, Nicole Pirog of Stratham, Tania LaFrance of Plano, TX and great-granddaughter Kate LaFrance, also of Plano, TX.

Anne was a dahlia; in bloom for a century. She will be missed.

Calling hours were Sunday from 2 to 5 PM in the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover St., corner of Beech St. A funeral ceremony was held on Monday at 11 AM in the funeral home. Burial followed in Pine Grove Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.mchughfuneralhome.com.