OLD TOWN – Anna Lillian Wareing, 96, went home to be with the Lord June 9, 2009, surrounded by loved ones at a Bangor hospital. She was born Sept. 26, 1912, in her beloved Jonesboro, daughter of George M. and Ada (Knight) Foss. Anna graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1930 and from Washington State Normal School, Machias, in 1938. She received a degree in education from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1960. Her teaching career spanned 42 years, starting in a one-room schoolhouse in Jonesboro to positions in Brewer, on Treat and Webster Island, and at Jefferson Street Elementary School, Old Town. She retired in 1972. Anna was a member of Jonesboro Union Church and Old Town United Methodist Church. She belonged to the Retired Teachers Association, Neeburban Club and was recently selected as Woman of the Year by Beta Sigma Phi. She was a Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader and continued to volunteer her piano talents in local schools after retiring. Next to teaching and children, her love was music and the piano. Self taught and being graced with the ability to play by ear, Anna played for silent movies in her late teens. She was a pianist for many years with Polly Thomas and Jane Bragg of Thomas School of Dance, Bangor. Later in her life, her musical talents were shown in a number of local bands. And who will ever forget the many years she participated with her beloved Y Players of Bangor in their yearly productions, both as a pianist and actress. Some of her most memorable parts were as the wicked witch in the “Wizard of Oz,” Scarlet O’Hara and Willie Nelson. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband, William V. Wareing; infant sister, Myrtle; dear sister, Frances Varney and husband, Kenneth; and beloved brother, Millard “Bud” Foss and wife, Marie. Surviving are her loving daughter, Jane Flahive of Windham; grandsons Dr. Billy Flahive, D.V.M., and Dara Siegl of South Portland, Erik and Lonnie Flahive of San Diego and Michael Flahive of Scarborough; great-granddaughters, Isabella and namesake Annaliese Flahive; her loving “adopted” daughter, Naomi Allen of Old Town; special cousins, Helene Wright of Bangor and Leon Trenholm of Falmouth; loving niece, Penny Foss of Machias; and nephews, Jeffrey, Robert and Steven Varney of Lubec. Special thanks to Dr. Ritter of Old Town; neighbors, the Osbornes, Grindles, Howes and Ketchens; friends, Pat Brown, Pam Martin and the Y Players, Valerie McClead, and her lifelong friend, Helen Morin; and her church family. There will be no calling hours. A celebration of Anna’s life will be held 10 a.m. June 20 at Old Town Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date. Those who wish may make donations in her name to Old Town Methodist Church, 744 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, ME 04468 or Jonesboro Union Church, P.O. Box 24, Jonesboro, ME 04648. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.legacy.com/obituaries/bangornews
ANNA LILLIAN WAREING
