Anne Elizabeth Licini

Anne Elizabeth Licini died on June 19 at McKee Medical Center in Loveland. She led a long and eventful life of 98 years. She will be remembered as a beautiful, generous, kind, compassionate and dignified lady whose greatest joy was always the people in her life. Anne, you will be missed.

Anne was born in Allentown, PA to a family of Austrian immigrants. She was the youngest child of 9. Caroline and Charles Eby raised their 7 daughters and 2 sons in a small row house. The home was chaotic, but tempered by an equal measures of love and laughter. She and her family survived the Great Depression by hard work and personal sacrifices on the part of all. It was not an easy time in which she grew up.

The true adventure of her life began when the neighborhood milkman, Francis Licini, spied this lovely young woman as he made his deliveries. He courted her relentlessly until they were married in 1941. World War II cut short their early years together in Toledo, Ohio. Francis enlisted in the navy in June of 1943. Anne returned home to have their first and only child, Mary. She lived with her parents until November of 1945. She credited her big, boisterous, supportive family with helping her to survive the fear and uncertainty of the war years.

When Francis returned from the south Pacific the new family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. They lived there for 5 years, then in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky for 2 years. Around 1949 Francis’s family, the Licinis, began moving to Nevada to help start up the fledgling gambling industry. In 1952 Anne and Francis decided to join his brother John and other adventurous relatives. They moved to a hot dusty little town called Las Vegas. It was their home for the next 52 years. They enjoyed a good life—surrounded by a growing community of family and friends. They watched in amazement as their desert city with a few hotels and casinos grew into a mega resort. Anne always loved and missed her Allentown family and coped by writing letters, sending cards, making phone calls. She remained close to far away siblings, nephews and nieces. She never forgot a birthday or an anniversary.

Anne did not work outside of her home in Las Vegas. She took great pride in her role as wife and mother. She became an accomplished chef, an excellent seamstress, and undoubtedly the world’s finest baker. Pride in her family’s Austrian/Irish/Italian heritage manifested itself in sumptuous strudels, pies, and cakes; elegant pastas, gnocchi and roasts. The kitchen was her domain! Those who knew her during these years remember a caring neighbor, a loyal friend, a devout Catholic, a passionate Democrat, and an avid reader who remained ever abreast of world events.

Anne nurtured a special close bond with her daughter, Mary. That connection only deepened when her daughter and new son-in-law settled in Loveland and started their family. The arrival of each grandchild was a glorious event in Anne’s life. She was a marvelous Grandmother to her “3 Specials”. Visits from Grandma meant boxes of homemade cookies, See’s candy, silver dollars and happy days of playing games and reading stories. Frequent trips to Las Vegas were exciting family adventures. Neon lights, elaborate spectacles, buffet dinners and backyard romps made for vivid memories.

By 2004 Francis’s health was failing and Anne was struggling with an ever growing caregiver role. Her family persuaded the couple to move to Loveland. It took Anne about a month to fall in love with her new house, new town and new life. She never looked back….except to wonder “Why didn’t we move here sooner?” She was grateful for the unfailing help and kindness she encountered. New acquaintances became treasured friends.

In 2007, after 66 years of marriage, her beloved husband passed away. Anne proudly remained independent and lived in her home. The help of many--a wonderful neighbor, very special caregivers, Meal on Wheels, her family and friends—enabled her to do so. During those years she bravely ventured on exuberant and often unpredictable beach and mountain trips with her family. She relished her role as the honored matriarch at holiday gatherings. Her 5 great grandchildren became a new focus in her life.

In September 2014 she suffered a fall and entered Loveland Good Samaritan Village as a rehab patient and then stayed on as a resident. The caring staff filled her days with friendship, support and encouragement. Anne’s dining table frequently rang with laughter as new and old friends became acquainted and traded life stories. She enjoyed daily visits with family members and wheelchair trips around the beautiful grounds. On June 7 a heart attack ended her time in that community.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Mary Hill; son-in-law, Dixon Hill; her grandchildren and their spouses: Alex (Diane) Hill, Dominic Hill (Lynna Scranton), Jessica (David) Ferguson. Five great-grandchildren will miss her hugs: Lauren, Ashley and Rachel Hill of Atlanta; Cormac and Eby Hill of Denver. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Plans for her services are pending. Allnutt Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made through Allnutt to Anne’s favorite charity—The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers; or to the Loveland Good Samaritan Employee Appreciation Fund.

Anne’s family wishes to thank everyone whose kindness enriched her life.