Anna McWilliams, 86

Anna May (Sword) McWilliams, 86, a long-time Mountain Home resident, died March 1, 2005, in Camas, Wash.

A memorial service will be held for Anna at Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel, at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 22, with a luncheon following at The Elks Lodge.

Anna was born in Nampa on Nov. 19, 1918, to Thomas and Ada (Wine) Sword.

In 1930 Anna's mother passed away, and Anna stepped in and took her mother's place caring for her six other brothers and sisters.

In 1937 Anna married Don McWilliams and they lived in Nampa until the onset of World War II, at which time they moved with their daughters, Donna and Norma, to Vancouver, Wash., where Don worked on building aircraft carriers for the war effort.

After WWII Anna and Don and the kids relocated to Mountain Home and purchased the landmark home where they spent most of their lives. A son, Warren, was born in 1956.

In 1965 Anna was employed by Mildred and Noble Dismuke at Noble's Studio in Mountain Home, and worked for over two decades as a receptionist and darkroom technician.

Don and Anna were charter members of BPOE #2276 (Elks Lodge) and spent many memorable evenings with their friends at Steak Nights and dances. Anna was also active in Elkette fundraising to support the lodge and was a paid member at the time of her passing.

Anna's husband, Don, died April 10, 1986, and she promptly sold the small sheep herd he had hidden away (after he had sold the main herd six months earlier) and spent the following years dining out with her friends, traveling, and enjoying time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Failing health forced Anna to move from her home in 2002 and she lived for several months at Cedar Crest in Mountain Home, and two years at Poplar Grove assisted living in Glenns Ferry. When Anna was no longer able to reside in assisted living, Warren moved her near his home in Washington so she could "fuss over her youngest grandchild, Tori."