Anne M. (Doherty) Brandon

Anne died of heart failure while recovering from a broken hip. Her funeral will be this Thursday, on what would have been her 94th birthday, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Tigard, at 1pm. There will be a prior viewing at Young's Funeral Home on the 22nd from 4-8pm with a Rosary at 6:30. She'll be buried near where she grew up, at the Heppner Masonic Cemetery, in Heppner Oregon, Friday the 24th, at 1pm.

Anne was the 4th of 10 children. Her parents were both immigrants from the Irish peninsula of Inishowen. Her father was a sheep rancher, and her mother was often left alone at the homestead to raise the family while he trailed the sheep up the Blue Mountains. The homestead was taken by the government in WWII, for use as part of the Boardman bombing range.

Anne began her education at Lone Tree school. From there she went for awhile to public school held in her family's bunkhouse, then to Ione, and Lexington, finally, graduating from St. Joseph's high school in Pendleton.

Right after high school she applied, and eventually became a sister of the order of St. Benedict at Mount Angel. There, in addition to her regular duties, she taught elementary school, including in one room schools, around the Willamette valley.

At age 38 she retired from monastic life and went back to school, where she earned her secular teaching credentials and began a 2nd career in elementary education. She taught several years in school districts near Portland before settling in Beaverton district, wherein she taught for 21 years.

During this time she married, and after one year gave birth, at age 42, to her only child Tim. After a few years, she took the unusual step, of having her marriage annulled by the church. Despite whatever hard feelings, she allowed, even encouraged, Ben, Tim's father, to remain part of their separated but still functional family.

After her 2nd retirement from education, she resumed her first calling, which was service to others, particularly children. She volunteered, often for the church, and maintained an extensive donations list. In later life, when she was unable to physically do the cleaning and chores she had done on a volunteer basis, she paid for professional housekeeping to do the work in her stead.

Anne lived her life like she knew what she was doing, in humble hope of God's saving grace. She lived long, and well. May the Lord take her into his heart, where she can pray for the rest of us.

Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.