Anne Crary

Anne’s life can best be encapsulated by these seven words: humble, compassionate, loyal, fierce, determined, curious and adventurous. In her 77 years here with us, she experienced and expressed an abundance of each.

Anne lived every day to the fullest, viewing obstacles in life as challenges to conquer. Over the course of her life, Anne chased her dreams, including climbing all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks. Anne never contacted the Adirondack 46ers to register, a testament to her humbleness. In her early 40s, Anne took up running. In time, she got the idea of running a marathon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, her hometown. Her mission was to simply finish the race, and she did. Anne, at the age of 54, was the first in her family to go to college, securing an associate of science degree in nursing, eventually working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Anne dedicated her life to caring for others, as evidenced by her long career at Sunmount DDSO. She displayed an intense level of compassion and loyalty to those entrusted to her care.

Anne also found immense joy in the simpler things in life, like feeling the sunlight on her face, long walks, a warm cup of tea and tending to her garden. She enjoyed kayaking, mercilessly beating people in shuffleboard, browsing through thrift shops and garage sales, visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Anne loved watching sunrises and sunsets, especially over the ocean.

Anne is one of 11 children born in Philadelphia, as a result of the union of her parents, Thelma (Garland) and William Stewart. At the age of 17, Anne moved to Norfolk, Virgina, to live on her own. A few years later, while waiting tables, she met a handsome young Marine named Wayne LaPierre. Shortly after meeting, Anne and Wayne were married. They raised two children, Tina LaPierre (Carr) and Wayne LaPierre Jr. Life has its unexpected twists and turns for all of us, including Anne and Wayne Sr. Eventually, they parted after 22 years of marriage.

Anne’s story does not end there though. One day, at the age of 45, Anne met a blue-eyed man named Douglas Crary. The angels sang; she was in love. Anne and Doug were married two years later, bringing into the fold of our family Doug’s two children, Jack Crary and Jill Crary-Gracz (Crary), who loved Anne deeply. This union also brought into the family Doug’s sister and brother-in-law, Sharron Cheney (Crary) and Gerry Cheney. The four of them spent many winters together in Florida building memories and sharing lives. In the end, Anne and Doug spent 32 wonderful years together that was full of family, love and laughter. Anne was blessed with nine grandchildren: Chance Charland, Tanner Charland, Regan Crary-Gracz, Kiernan Crary-Gracz, Skylar Patnode, Cody LaPierre, Kayley LaPierre, Jacqueline Pilling and Ryan Crary. The family is so large we could not mention all who loved her, but we do want to share that she is survived by the spouses of those mentioned, along with 13 great grandchildren and 31 nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Champlain Valley Senior Community in Willsboro and to High Peaks Hospice. They supported our family with such grace and compassion.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Frary Funeral Home, 24 Cliff Ave., Tupper Lake. Calling hours are scheduled for Saturday, July 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will immediately follow, with the Reverend Paul Kelly officiating. The memorial service will be live streamed on the Frary funeral home Facebook page starting at 4 p.m.

Family and friends wishing to remember Anne Crary may make memorial contributions to High Peaks Hospice, 1247 Dix Ave., Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Family and friends may also share a memory, send a condolence and sign the online guestbook at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.