I took Mrs. Anne Daliey’s creative writing class in at Cary High School and later she let me eat lunch in her classroom. I joined a group of teens who needed a quiet space away from the cafeteria or the nearby strip mall where seniors picked up take out. This kindness made me, and I suspect many other teens, feel less lonely in a high school class of 900 plus students.  

I first heard Leonard Cohen in her classroom – She wasn’t even teaching Leonard Cohen. I was sitting on the floor with a friend, notebook out and pen in hand, a head set on.  As a creative writing instructor, she built a space to practice writing and allowed her students to find their language, in books and in themselves. She did what very few adults truly do: she trusted teenagers to learn. 

Anne taught like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry described: "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."  Anne is one of the people who taught me to yearn for the vast and endless sea. 

She read her poems to us in the class, especially the bad poems which gave me permission to write bad poems, which is the only way one ever gets to write good poems!  Anne made visible the slow, steady, lugwork of tooling with some problem of language, picking up a word for a line and crossing it out, publicly meditating on: How do we make meaning of a moment in time, and why do it?

I return to this question–will continue to return this question my whole life, and of course, I thank the fierce & compassionate Anne for this.

I graduated from Cary High School in 2009. While in school there I took Creative Writing 1 because I thought it'd be more fun than other classes; I took Creative Writing 2 because I had been right. I made an 'independent study' because there was no Creative Writing 3, and I wasn't done spending time in Anne Dailey's classroom. 

Anne was one of the only people before, during, or after those years who could really see me - and she invited me to show her more. Some kids were writing 50 haikus that day because they had (mistakenly) thought Creative Writing with Anne would be easy or 'laid back.' I was churning out poetry and prose for a different reason: I finally had an audience that made me feel seen and heard. It was worth figuring out how to say what I wanted to say because I had Anne Dailey  reading what I wrote. What made it worthwhile was having an intelligent, compassionate, and FIERCE audience, editor, and supporter in Anne Dailey.  Anne wrote and could teach writing because she knew it was a conduit to a person's soul. The parts of us worth putting into words are worth seeing fully and taking seriously, and even as a degenerate teenager, I was able to see that with Anne's help.

I remain grateful  to her, and I hope I carry her legacy forward not just in writing, but in how I interact with others. When I carefully choose words to add humor and care to bad news, or find just the right way to say something that's always bothered someone, or when I just can't get past the terrible diction and punctuation in an advertisement - Anne is there. Perhaps she will not mind if I turn in one last haiku, a little late:

She said "Be quiet!" 
"Write me a thousand haikus!" 
Anne would read each one.

She was my teacher at Cary high for public speaking and created a passion within me for writing. She was the kind of teacher that inspired kids you could tell she loved what she did and I'll never forget the way she made me feel and The confidence she gave me to overcome my fear of public speaking and end up falling in love with it. She'll be missed dearly

Mr. Dailey, your wife enrichened our lives here at Tower Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  May God grant you peace as you create a new normal for yourself.  Know that we care for you, and we are here for you.

Yvette Bottoms-Richardson
BOM/Tower Nursing and Rehab

I'll always remember the day Anne toured our Springbrooke neighborhood in her wheelchair........steered by her devoted husband, Eric, Anne looked like a Queen; her smile warm, happy and sunny as the day; the wheelchair her throne! As she made her way around, the neighbors came out to greet her, as if paying homage to this very special lady. Anne was having a grand time! It was a most unusual and unforgettable event!
Anne was a very sweet and special soul who was well loved and will be well remembered.

Thoughts and prayers for you, Eric, and family. The world lost a wonderful lady, but heaven gained an amazing angel. 🙏

My wife Linday and I love our little dogs (probably an embarrassing amount). But when we were young and still in school, we didn't know what it was love these silly creatures. 

I always remember when Eric and Anne were visiting Court St. with their little dogs -a Westie and a Scottie maybe? - who wouldn't eat because of the commotion. 

Eric and Anne were pretty worried about them.

Anne decided that the best way to get them to eat was to a sprinkle a treat on their kibble; Sterzing's potato chips! When the dogs were finally eating both Eric and Anne seemed to relax. At the time I didn't understand how they felt, but I do now. 

So, while the little scruffs were eating chips and ignoring chaos of the kitchen, Anne and I sat in the wooden chairs, and she taught me the newest slang words her students were using. None of which are appropriate for here. 

To Anne...

It was a bright and early January morning. Leif (forgive me he will always be Leif) and I were heading into the sunrise on east bound I 40. Reagan was just elected the first time. We were northwest of Raleigh driving non-stop from Burlington, Iowa. 
He was my brother. He was the one I knew best. The camping, hiking, boy scouts, boating, fishing, hunting, serving as alter boys at Mass and yes some fighting drew us so close together.  The answer when he asked me to ride along to move him into Raleigh had to be yes. You always back your brother's play even, when you really don't get why, what is happening is happening. I figured he knew what he was doing. I know now he did.
I was sound asleep. The fishtail startled me out my slumber. The speedometer of that '62 Olds was near hitting 110 mph. The road was covered with black ice. It would have topped out at 120. We were close.
What's the hurry I'm sure i shrieked??? He didn't really know either but he was approaching his future. He could sense the adventure with all the exciting unknown. I couldn't blame him. But I sure was on high alert by the clear and present danger of flipping that lovely Olds. Thank you Father son and Holy Ghost for keeping the four wheels on the ice!! I'm sure the Blessed Mother of God also did her part.
In time I came to know Anne. She was a lovely lady. She was educated. She was cultured and well read. She was among the few that could and did keep up with and surpass my brother-in-law, Terry. The next minute she was mesmerizing the little ones with a children's tale or some poetry just for them. She made a mean barbecue! You knew when you peeked her ire when she said "bless your heart".
Anne was the future Leif sensed driving into the sun on the black ice so many years ago. What a Grand and Awesome future she was. The song at their wedding was Leather and Lace. It was their song, then, now and forever. Fairwell we love you and will miss you. We will reunite in heaven I'm sure.

My Dearest Friend, Ms. Anne

You left us before we were ready
   Before we were ready to say farewell
  Before we were ready to laugh with you - one last time
  Before we were ready for the empty - that now exists

Your Joy. Your kindness - The Love you gave
     Must now fill the empty in all of us 

The peace you now live - so well deserved
    Is the solace for us as we weep


We Love You and miss you!

Rita and Larry Vennard 
Brent and Tayler
Kate and Brian

How do you describe someone you’ve known your whole life? Anne was spirited, quick witted, intelligent and  fun. Most of my memories of Aunt Anne involve laughter. As a child, I always looked to Anne for her stories and good advice. She knew something about almost everything! As I grew older, I began to recognize the true gift of her wisdom. She was also a great listener, and patiently guided me through many parts of my life. One of my fondest memories is of her meeting my son. I’m so glad he got to know Aunt Anne!  She is missed and her memory cherished.

I have a very fond memory of the time Anne & Eric came to visit Terry & I in Lincoln, NE.  Besides hearing wonderful stories of her teaching experiences we enjoyed sharing stories of life in Lincoln and in Cary.  We particularly enjoyed the tour of the James Arthur Vineyard, situated in a pretty valley 15 miles from Lincoln, where we shared a bottle of wine, some bread & cheese & more stories.  One of the most fun things was introducing Anne & Eric to a Nebraska staple, the Runza, a mixture of ground beef, cabbage, onions and spices wrapped in a bread pocket.  We had many laughs around the table that night.  Rest in peace dear Anne.  You are missed.

Anne Dailey was my sister-in-law and my friend.  Though we lived in different states, we always liked each other.  Several years ago, Anne and I began reading novels together and then having phone chats about the plots.  It was great fun.  One book we both liked focused on the Royal Family of Russia, the Romanovs.  It was always pleasant sharing our thoughts on these books.  Anne taught school for many years and had a love of literature and reading.  I am also a teacher and a librarian, so we had much common ground.  I always felt that Anne had a certain class that we Northerners identify with Southern sophistication.   It is personal, gracious and kind.   It always reminded me of the best of the Old South.  She was a loving wife to my brother-in-law, Eric.  Rest in Peace, Dear Lady.  Love, Terry

Anne’s dry wit and sense of humor endeared  her to her colleagues at Cary High School. She was an outstanding teacher who was able to combine high expectations with compassion.  Anne impacted many lives.❤️

Anne was a sweet  lady & was always kind to everyone.  We would visit her on occasion  & she really enjoyed spending some time with our dog Harrison.  She was a great neighbor & we will really miss her.

Anne and I were in the same profession, that of educating children and young people.  She was a wonderful credit to the teaching profession.  I honor her and will be forever grateful for her life.

This memory of Anne is from Ellen Dailey of Lincoln NE and posted by Eric Dailey

2/15/2025
Saturday 

I first met Anne at Eric and Anne's Wedding in 1982 in North Carolina.

Anne Hosted several out of town family members at their home. 
Opening her home was the beginning of 
Years of joyful conversation and visits.

Anne was a delightful addition to our Family.

  Anne Being an avid and enthusiastic Reader could converse on a Genre of books, art, philosophy, hopes and dreams...  

 She brought Laughter and a Smile as bright as the morning sun 🌝
Wisdom and Knowledge to our day to day life.

Anne had a tenacity to stay strong, and complete her goals . she accomplished so much in her years as a Wife, Sister-in- Law,
High School Teacher and Friend.

Anne touched the Hearts and Life of many students and influenced their life for years after completing her classes.

Anne loved flowers she had a green thumb with violets
and flowers.. always beautiful in her home.

God Blessed us all by Your Birth...and we'll meet again Sharing your Love of Life Until then my Dear sister Anne

May 240 Angels Bring Blessings to Anne in her New Life .... and Comfort Eric until they meet again....in the Heavens above.


I send my Love.... 
shalom Shalom Ellen

Eric, 
We were saddened to hear of Anne’s passing.  She was a special person:  devoted wife, accomplished educator, kind friend, interesting conversationalist.  It was a privilege to have known her.  

My sympathies to you, Eric.  Your wife was a great lady. 

RIP Anne

Aunt Anne, I have fond memories with you on the porch at 403 Court Street. I still play bubble shooter, or “bubbles hooter” often and think of you. Thinking of you, Uncle Eric.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Anne Perry Dailey

11 septembre 1946 – 20 janvier 2025

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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