Anne was born in Macon, Georgia on August 29, 1927, to the late Lottie Redmond Kirby and Harry Charles Kirby. In 1944 Anne moved to Jacksonville, Fla. where she met the love of her life and future husband, the late Joseph Richard Damato. They were students at St. Paul’s Catholic School in Riverside and were married on April 3, 1948. Their marriage flourished for over 37 years as they raised nine children from their home in Jacksonville.
In addition to her work as homemaker and mother, Anne returned to her career with Bell South following a 20-year hiatus to raise her nine children. She returned to the position she left and retired after completing a 25-year career with the company.
Following her retirement, Anne was an ambitious traveler, spending time in Europe, Alaska, and numerous other destinations in North America and the Caribbean. Her love of travel allowed her to maintain a life of continuous learning and spiritual growth.
Anne also continued her passion for serving others by acting as Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan for Sunday Mass at Assumption Catholic Church, and working tirelessly with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She delivered baked goods to the St. Francis Soup Kitchen in downtown Jacksonville and processed donations of clothing at what was known as “The Hut” at Assumption.
Diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2012, Anne moved to Heritage Crossings Assisted Living in 2017 where she continued to minister to others with her beautiful spirit, grace, humor and dignity.
While her life experiences made her a witty and charming conversationalist, it was her natural charm and grit that defined her: a real Steel Magnolia. The ravages of Alzheimer’s disease may have robbed her of her memory, but never her dignity, class and grace.
Anne’s parents, husband, and daughter, Micky Fonseca, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Kay Gowan; Rick Damato (Micki), Terry Miller (Tom Hughes), Patti Mathis (Jeff), Charlie Damato (Jill), Larry Damato (Becky), Christy Greuter (Ken), Jamie Damato (Dawn), her twenty-one grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
Anne Kirby Damato will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, most especially her grateful family.
The family will receive visitors at the Legacy Lodge, Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel & Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville on Friday, February 11th from 5:00 through 7:00 PM with a rosary at 6:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Assumption Catholic Church, 2403 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville on Saturday, February 12th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a reception in Kohls Hall.
Those wishing to remember Anne in a special way, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in her memory.
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