Annamay LiCausi

Nickname “Annie”

Passed at 85 Years Old

Lived in Las Vegas since 1986

Passed on March 16 2024 at 12:10 pm

Las Vegas Nevada

Annie was born on August 15, 1938

In Brooklyn New York

Her mom was Jean Higney and her father Richard (Dick) Higney

She was born to a large family of 8 siblings, Richard, Mike, Elenor, Eugene, Dolores, George,

Anne and Patrick. She was the youngest girl.

Anne attended high school in Brooklyn, New York

She married Salvatore J LiCausi May 19, 1957

Lived in Brooklyn for about 2 years after marriage before she and her husband moved to Long

Island to build their new home.

In New York mom was a stay at home mother raising her 4 children while dad worked hard and

had lots of band jobs each weekend. Living out in Lindenhurst Long Island and away from the

city was a great choice for our family and our dad who actually would find work in the

government and closer to home. As things would have it our cousin George Higney Jr. who was

in the Air Force stationed in Colorado spoke so highly of the state that Dad took a solo flight to

see what all the chatter and enthusiasm was all about. Also cousin Bobbie Shanley who also

lived in Colorado was a driver of that decision. Well on that very first trip to Colorado he

returned back and informed mom and the family he had bought a home sight unseen and we

were moving for a better life. Wow! Having such a large family in New York and informing them

we were going to be moving 2000 miles away was shocking to say the least. But off we would go

to Colorado. Dad worked at the Denver Mint while mom continued to be a stay at home at the

request of our Dad.

After most of her children where old enough to care for themselves mom decided to be a foster

parent for a couple of years. She took twin infant babies that she cared for like her own. After

fostering mom took her first job out of the house being a waitress at the Walgreens restaurant

inside the Villa Italia Mall in Lakewood Colorado. After a short time at the restaurant she wanted

to help others and have a better career. So she took a position as a nurse’s aid at the Villa Manor

Nursing Home. As a nurse’s aid she had found her calling. Every day she lifted the lives of others

by bringing life, hope, happiness and love to her senior residents. She absolutely loved her new

job and they loved her. One day, the owner of the Manor came to her and asked said; “Anne you

are so good to these residents they love you so much, we have a position that opened up as the

Activity Director, would you be willing to take on this new job”? Mom jumped at the

opportunity, although she had no idea on what to do. Well that did not stop her. She dug in

right away scheduling games, exercises and bringing guests to give the residents a sense of

home and warmth. She went out of her way everyday to make sure her seniors were given love

and friendship.

Ironically the nursing home was just a few blocks away from Alameda Junior High School. Each

day the kids would walk down the street to be picked up at the end of Anne’s work day to be

taken home. But the visit was more that than that. Anne introduced them to every person in the

facility. She had several favorites of course but one couple stood out the most. Eugene and his

sister. Both were completely paralyzed and could barely speak and were confined to a wheel

chair. But when Anne would walk through the doors each morning to them it was like July 4th

each day. The very first thing Anne would do is check in and then head straight to their room

and give them a hug and kiss on their heads. It was absolutely priceless what she did.

However as the job became more demanding and time away from the family Anne decided

something less stressful may work. So each night for months she studied to become a

cosmetologist. Her plan had a bit of a twist because as she passed her state licensing she had to

inform the owner of Villa Manor she’s was resigning her position. Although the disappointment

was short lived because Anne informed him that she would like to style and cut the hair of all

the residents. The owner was completely delighted and he allowed mom to set up a beauty

salon in the lower basement level of the manor. Mom took this challenge as just another way to

help others while making them feel really good all the time.

As Dads health would begin to deteriorate, being physically a forced into retirement would

present another move for the better of the family. That life would have it that same cousin who

lead us to Colorado would have the same effect again. Cousin Bobby Shanley, did it again.

Because Bob moved out of Colorado due to weather and better opportunity. So off to a new

home in 1986 in Las Vegas Nevada. Anne and Sal together would own a couple new businesses

and Mom worked at the Mirage Casino as a cashier for 10 plus years before she retired. Dad

now fully retired would take on part time work within his sons business for 16 years. Yup he still

wanted to stay active and be involved with people.

Anne and Sal had a lot of fun with their new found games, yes Keno!. For a period of 2 years

they seemed to be on a world win tour. They were unstoppable. They found what we call here

in Vegas the fever. They had fun and ram up so many comps at Palace Station dad and mom

were the regulars. Bare in mind keno was a low cost game that ate up a lot of time. Mom

became the skilled keno player while dad was the heavy hand on the nickel slots….lol

They found there new time out together as partners to be fun and exciting. Anne also enjoyed

crafts, to cook and entertain, home decorating and making gifts for people.

Annes time with her husband was fulfilling along with her joy with 7 grandkids, Joe Carter his

sister Julianne Brainard, Tyler LiCausi and sister Tierra Brown, Kip LiCausi and his brother Sam

LiCausi. And of course Logan McDowell. She plastered her house with many photos of all the

kids and the memories and joy she had from each of them. She was so very proud of each of

them, their accomplishments, their successes, and that they are respectful wonderful people in

our world. She also had a love for doggies and she had Bonnie, a German shepherd, and

Monique, a poodle and her last doggie of over 14 years Mattie, a Chihuahua.

In 2005 with the loss of her husband just shy of their 50th Anniversary hit mom very hard. She

lost her friend and partner and it took its toll. For a short time mom relocated back to Colorado

where her children helped her purchase a condominium for her in Parker, but due to weather

and just not feeling a sense of home she returned back to Las Vegas.

She found her new place in the beautiful community of Los Prados Golf Resort. She was proud

of her new home and as in typical Anne style wanted to put her signature on it, so off for some

shopping and decorating.

It was during the next few years her sight began to fail her. So she found a new partner in crime

for those weekend shopping excursions. Her daughter, Diane would never leave mom's side for

the next many years ahead. As moms health and eyesight got worse, Diane became her care

taker. All of Anne’s children are so grateful for Diane for what she was able to do for mom over

the last 10 plus years and what she meant to mom.

Anne’s later years were spent in her home with her memories and dealing with some health

concerns. She would take an occasional trip for special events with family, and she loved those

trips with her family! Anne was a strong woman and a wonderful wife to her husband and

mother to her children.

Annamay Jean was just shy of her 86th birthday and is survived by 2 sons 2 daughters 7 grand

children and 8 great children. Daughters; Donna Harmon and Son-in-law Patrick Harmon; a

grandson Joe Carter and his wife Susie and great grandchildren Jack and Emery, granddaughter

Julianne and her husband Tom Brainard and great grandchildren, Teddy and Presley; Daughter

Diane McDowell, her late husband David, grandson Logan McDowell; 2 sons Lawrence LiCausi

daughter-in-law Robyn, grandson Tyler LiCausi his wife Kristie and great grandson Levi.

granddaughter Tierra and her husband Tyler Brown and great granddaughter Beckham, son Jim

LiCausi and his wife Daneen and grandchildren Kip and wife Samantha and two great

grandchildren Lucia and Gabrielle, grandson Sam.

A memorial service for Annamay will be held Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Palm Cheyenne Mortuary, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129.