Anna Mae Tailby, 96, of Vero Beach, Florida formerly of Rutland, Vermont, passed away at the VNA/Hospice House in Vero Beach on April 25, 2008 after a short illness.
She was born on Sept. 4, 1911 in the Albany, New York Area, her father was Bernard J. Schaefer and her mother was Anna M. Schaefer (Hagen). She attended Vincentian High School and went to work at the telephone company.
She married Alden Joseph Tailby on May 17, 1936 and they were married until Joe passed away on July 28, 1990. They moved to Rutland in 1950 and operated the Boston Market (B-M Food Mart) together for 23 years. She was very active in Bridge in Vermont, the Elks Emblem Club and also volunteered at the hospital.
After moving to Vero Beach she remained active in various organizations including the Rose Society, the Hibiscus Society, the Orchid Society and in various Rotary functions, including the Rotary Homes Stay Program. She was a member of the Vero Beach Duplicate Bridge Club and sometimes played 7 days a week. Bridge playing was her greatest enjoyment and passion.
She was fiercely independent and traveled alone across country by rail, in war time to be with her husband in California. She survived cancer twice and two heart attacks by shear will power.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna J. Knerr and her husband Frederick E. Knerr. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Laura Mae Lansing Richey and her husband Jeffrey Richey of Ft. Pierce, FL and Suzanne Lansing Sabataso of Rutland. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Crystal Hart of Vero Beach and Christopher and Michael Sabataso of Rutland and her daughters beloved poodle Pierre.
The family will receive friends 4-7 PM Monday, April 28, 2008 at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 AM Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach followed by interment at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach.
Donations can be made to St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.