Lena Anne Gordon

She was born on March 20, 1934, in Rockingham County. In 1947, Anne went to live with Coy and Frances Stack. She graduated from Crossnore High School in 1952. After graduating from UNC Woman’s College (UNC-G) in 1957, she taught elementary school in Greensboro, North Carolina before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1963.

She was employed in 1963 by the City of Raleigh and retired in 1996 with the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department as an activity supervisor which also included programming for senior adults. Her many accomplishments included tripling the number of senior citizen clubs around the city, planning of the inaugural Senior’s Holiday Celebration that grew into a city-wide event sponsored by WRAL-TV. She was involved in the development of Raleigh’s First Senior Games and Co-Chaired Senior Day at the NC State Fair. Awards received were the NC Recreation and Park Association Fellow Award in 1973. She was inducted into the Wake County Academy of Women in 1986, and received several awards from the Woman’s Club of Raleigh including the Mabel Claire Maddrey Award in 1995 from the Woman’s Club, The Joyce Daughtery White Award, and the Maude Davis Benn Award.

Under Anne’s leadership the Ranoca Day Camp secured talent for programming, hired and supervised leaders of the Golden Years Clubs, all while conducting over 100 plus trips in her career. Anne’s travels carried her to 40 different countries. She also developed the first City Senior Golf League.

Upon retiring Anne enjoyed her Wednesday bridge game, nature walks on Farmdale Road, bird watching, serving as a docent at the Governor’s Mansion and serving as a travel coordinator for Collette Travel Agency. She loved to travel to see the beauty of the world. In 2001 she joined the Friendship Force of Raleigh as the Raleigh Chapter Events Coordinator. An active member of the Raleigh Woman’s Club, The O’Henry Book Club, The Christian Fellowship Sunday School Class at White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC, she served as Co-Representative Circle D White Memorial Presbyterian Women. She enjoyed Friday night NC Symphony Pops performances, Symphony Summerfest and taking ENCORE Classes.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Crane and his loving, compassionate staff and the many health professionals at the Rex Cancer Center. The Transitions Life Care founded as Hospice of Wake County were exemplary in their love and support of Anne’s care and to us, her family. They are true “walking angels”.

Thanks also to Anne’s Farmdale Family for their willingness to assist in various needs from laundry service, fresh cooked meals, making phone calls, errand running and joyous Christmas Caroling. A special thanks to neighbor Rieva Bowers and family for their devoted care giving during her entire illness.

Anne is survived by her brothers, Ashby Keen (Agnes) wife, Edward Keen (Rochelle) wife, both of Maryland, sisters, Viola Lohrbergs (Bill) husband of Michigan, Linda Pardue (Bill) husband of Boomer, NC, Alma Dean Stack Evett (Gilbert) husband, Harriet Boswell Stack of Eden, NC, numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She was predeceased by 3 sisters and a brother.