Anna Lee Banet Skaggs

Anna Lee Banet Skaggs entered into eternal peace on Thanksgiving, November 25, 2021, at age 95, in the company of her beloved cousins. Born on May 29, 1926, to Irvin Banet and Mildred Libs Banet, Anna Lee and her sister Mary Jane were raised by their father and loving family members after their mother’s premature death when Anna Lee was only thirteen years old. In early adulthood, Anna Lee learned the value of a dime, hard work, faith, and the perfect pinochle hand while working in her father’s legendary business Irvin’s Tavern on St. Mary’s Road in the shadow of St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church where she faithfully attended mass. She was a long time member of Holy Trinity then St. Mary’s New Albany.

Anna Lee married the love of her life and best friend Kenny Skaggs in 1960 and spent many wonderful years with him on Burton Avenue in New Albany, Indiana, where she grew beautiful roses and kept an impeccable home. For over fifty years, they formed an inseparable partnership, traveling to see new sights and watching live music shows both far and near. The only time they spent apart were during the times Kenny spent playing golf while Anna Lee took her seat at a card table. Throughout their life together, Our Lady of Grace Monastery at Beech Grove, Indiana — of which Anna Lee’s sister Sr. Amelia (Mary Jane) Banet, OSB was a founding member — remained their favorite destination, close to both their hearts and home.

Anna Lee’s keen mind and insistence on precision served her well as the bookkeeper at Schenley Distillery for decades, and made her many people’s favorite partner at every card table. Ever resilient, Anna Lee overcame every obstacle life presented from her own health issues, caring for her father Irvin in his later years, and Kenny’s death in 2015. She found joy in travel, was an avid sports fan, and devout follower of her sister’s congregation at Beech Grove. She was loved and adored by her immense circle of cousins, and had dear friends everywhere including at her final home at Azalea Hills. A fighter and instruction giver to the end of her earthly life, she is now reunited with Kenny, Sr. Amelia, her parents, and many other family members and friends. She is survived by her loving cousins including Janice Fessel, who provided her with extraordinary care for many years, and those who regularly played cards with her. Anna Lee’s surviving cousins sincerely hope that St. Peter had his house in order when she arrived at the gates of heaven.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Knobs on Monday, November 29, 2021, followed immediately by her funeral mass. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities at 702 E. Market Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150.