Anna Ruth Stackhouse

Anna Stackhouse went home to God at 3:55 AM on Monday, May 5, 2014 while at the Progressive Care Unit of Pottstown Hospital. Anna was born on January 18, 1931, in Philadelphia, the only daughter and youngest child of the late Ruth (Wilson) and James Dunyan. She lived on Sargent Street in Philadelphia with her family and attended Clymer Elementary at 13th and Clearfield, and then Stetson High School at 'B' and Allegheny. She lived the first 55 years of her life in the Philadelphia area, moving to Ambler in 1986 and finally to Pottstown in 1994. After high school, Anna worked at the Bell Telephone Company. When she had her children she became a stay at home mom and worked from her home selling Dutchmaid Products and Tupperware. When her youngest son was 12 she went to work at Mrs. Smith's Pie Company where she was a cake icer for 28 years. She loved her job and had many friends. Anna was a caring and loving wife and mother, married 64 years to the love of her life, the late Joseph Stackhouse, with whom she had three children; the late Joseph, Cynthia and Stephen. She had two grandchildren; Joseph and Stephen, as well as two great granddaughters; Saylor and Shea and her baby-"Buddy", an African Grey Parrot. Anna was bright spot that can never be replaced. She was devoted to everyone in her family. She was great--there was no one with a better sense of humor or more positive outlook on life. Her motto was "I'm determined to get through life". She excelled at life, living to the fullest and enriching the lives of those around her. She was grateful for everything in life. She was very patient, loving, nurturing, and supportive. Her world was her family. She put everyone ahead of herself. She was loyal and devoted to her family and did everything she could to help and support them up to her last moments of her life. Her last words to us were, "I love you all". When Anna was not able to get around and life was difficult, she never complained. She was grateful for the company of her children and grandson. She would watch TV and movies into the wee hours of the morning with her grandson, Joey. She was movie buff and could explain in detail the story line of every movie she watched. Her favorite movie was the 1946 movie "The Razors Edge" with Tyrone Powers and Jean Tierney. She loved watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Don Johnson in Miami Vice, NCIS, The Mentalist, Person of Inteest, 24, Everyone Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Pawn Stars, and the Animal Channel. Anna was a lot of fun and was very adventurous. She loved all rides, especially riding the roller coaster with her grandchildren and children. She took Joe and Stephen to Great Adventures, Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion and Disney where she rode the Loch Ness Monster. The Rebel Yell, The Loop de Loop, Rock and Roll Roller Coaster, and Space Mountain. She stood in line for hours in Va. waiting for the premiere of Jaws 2 with grandsons and daughter. Anna was a young grandmother and was devoted to her first grandson, Joseph D'Angiolini (Joey). Her second grandson, Stephen, was born 10 years later. She loved her children and grandchildren. She took them on all of her travels-the shore at Wildwood, N.J., and at least 14 trips to Disney World in Florida. It was in Disney World that she helped her grandson, Stephen, learn how to swim. She drove 2 hours outside of the Disney compound to get him "water wings", because he was afraid to go into the pool. This gave him the confidence he needed and he quickly lost his fear of the water. She loved Disney, as well as traveling with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson in a motor home around the United States. Anna loved all sports. She followed the Apache Boys Club Organization of which her late husband, Joe, was a founder and coach. She attended all of the baseball and basketball games, bringing cake and soda for the kids for after the games. Anna had many interests and hobbies. She played 40 cards at Bingo and watched the cards of people sitting next to her. She held the family record for Wii Bowling. She loved going to the casino and playing the slots. She watched football, cheering for the Eagles, played tennis when she was younger and enjoyed watching tennis on TV. She was left handed but golfed right handed, frequently scoring in the 70's. She loved the music of John Lennon, Elvis Presley and Andy Williams. She took her children and grandson, Joey, to the Spectrum for many concerts, including those of David Bowie (Diamond Dogs), and Elton John (The Yellow Brick Road). At Disney she watched the rock bands at the Terrace in Tomorrow Land with her children and grandson, Joey. When Joey become an accomplished composer and musician at the age of 16, Nanny and Pop gave him money to copyright all of his songs. She loved to listen to Joey play guitar and she was very proud of his accomplishment. She hunted and fished with her husband. She loved animals, especially her African Grey Parrot, 'Buddy', who talked to her and kept her company. She was a fabulous cook, cooking everyday for her family. She was proud when her son, Stephen, graduated from The Restaurant School in Philadelphia. She supported her daughter through Nursing School, bringing meals and bags of groceries every week until she graduated. When Cindy got sick with MRSA and had to be in bed for 5 weeks, she traveled to Florida to care for her, her three German shorthair pointers (on a home cooked diet), two parrots and her grandson. She cooked wonderful meals so that Cindy could hold the harsh antibiotics down and because of this, Cindy recovered. When her grandson, Joey, was sick she travelled all over the United States with him to different specialists. Her greatest interest was in her family to whom she offered a warm, loving, welcoming home. She opened her home and her heart to her family. Anna' greatest legacy in life was that she taught her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews the true meaning of family and love.