Anne Murray Slattery

Born in a small village in County Roscommon, near Athlone, Ireland, on February 15, 1930, Anne was the fourth eldest daughter of Delia (Lennon) and Thomas Murray.

In 1954, Anne and her sister, Eileen (Ellen), left Ireland for America, sailing first to an uncle in Boston and then making their way to New York City, a city Anne would come to love deeply and call home for many years. She lived in Woodside and Astoria.

It was in New York that Anne found one of her favorite jobs, working at the elegant and innovative Swiss Air ticket office at 10 Rockefeller Plaza. Although she would go on to work many different jobs throughout her life, often more than one at a time, her years at Swiss Air held a special place in her heart. The job gave her something she treasured, the opportunity to travel. She returned to Ireland many times, explored Italy, where she attended Padre Pio’s mass in 1962. She visited France, Switzerland and many other countries. She never lost her sense of adventure and continued to travel throughout her lifetime until her final days, including one last journey to her beloved Ireland at the age of 96, this past June.

Anne embraced life with unmistakable curiosity and enthusiasm. She loved fashion and always appreciated the latest styles. New York in the 1950’s and early 1960’s was a glamourous place to be. She attended many Irish dances at the Jaeger House dance hall in Manhattan, where many Irish immigrants would go for live music and social dancing. For a short time, she worked for Gloria Vanderbuilt, as a hostess at some of her galas and parties. She also worked as a switchboard operator for the visionary AT&T company in New York City.

On August 17, 1963, Anne married Laurence (Frank) Slattery of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. Together they built a family and raised five children: Elizabeth (Mykita), Teresa (Amin), John, Michael, and Mary.

She loved her family, both near and far, and never lost her connection to those at home in Ireland. She loved trees, fields, flowers, meadows, and above all, the beach and the ocean, particularly Anna Maria Island. There was a beauty in the natural world that spoke to her, and she never stopped noticing it.

Anne was a devout Catholic and loved to share her strong faith with others. She was a parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church Brandon, for 49 years. Four of her children attended school there, and she often worked several jobs, to educate them in the Catholic faith. She later was part of the Catechetical Ministry at Nativity, where she brought the Eucharist to local nursing homes and the homebound. She attended the first Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Nativity and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tampa, and the First Saturday Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mary Help of Christians, Tampa, and daily mass, regularly.

Anne was a member of the Legion of Mary and was very devoted to Our Blessed Mother, Mary, and the rosary. She visited Lourdes, France, Fatima, Portugal and Knock, Ireland, on her many summer trips to her homeland over the years. She was a member of the Salesian Cooperators at Mary Help of Christians, beginning in February of 1999, and was part of their prayer request line for several years. Anne also loved to attend the local Magnificat and Franciscan Center retreats. Her faith brought her strength and joy, and she often thanked God for things before she received them.

Anne worked at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as a switchboard operator in the Communications Division for 18 years from May 16, 1981, until July 30, 1999. She was surrounded by a fascinating group of people who became lifelong friends.

But perhaps what defined Anne most was the way she cared about and for others. She had a particular tenderness for those who were struggling or too often overlooked: people experiencing homelessness, those living with disabilities, children and adults with special needs, like her youngest daughter, Mary, born with Down’s Syndrome. Anne loved volunteering for Tennis for Fun and attending the Special Olympics with Mary. She believed in advocating for those who could not speak for themselves.

Until the end, Anne remained young at heart, curious, adventurous, open hearted and full of life. She leaves behind not only a family who loved her deeply, but also the memory of a woman who embraced life fully, was very strong in her Catholic faith, and found joy in the world around her.

Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Frank Slattery (1996), and all her siblings. She is survived by her loving children: Elizabeth Mykita (Stan), Teresa Amin (Janak), John Slattery (Leah), Michael Slattery and Mary Slattery, her grandchildren: Ethan Mykita, Aidan Amin, Gabriel Slattery, Liam Amin, Hannah Slattery-Weisberg, and Juni Slattery.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:30 am, preceded by the Rosary, at Nativity Catholic Church at 705 E. Brandon Blvd. Brandon, FL 33511. Interment to follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 W. Brandon Blvd. Brandon, Florida. The family will receive friends Friday, October 16, 2026, 6-8 p.m. at Stowers Funeral Home, 401 W. Brandon Blvd. Brandon, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, Anne would ask for something much more meaningful.

Do something unexpected and unsolicited for someone you do not know and expect nothing in return. Or donate to a charity that helps those with special needs: Tennis for Fun, Brandon, Florida, or The Special Olympics, or any charity that benefits those with special needs. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, at 1711 E. 11th Avenue Tampa, Florida 33605, also holds a special place in Anne’s heart.