Anne Derfus

Funeral services for Anne Derfus, 79, of Tyler, will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Old Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Laird Funeral Home. A rosary will follow at 7:00 PM. 

Anne Gannon Derfus, age 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Tyler, TX. Anne was born on September 24, 1942 in Houston, Texas to Gaius Goddard Gannon and Mary Payne Gannon. She lived in Nacogdoches, TX most of her adult life; she recently moved to Tyler, TX for retirement. Anne graduated from Marian High School in 1961 and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University. After passing the CPA exam and working as an accountant for several years, she went back to school with her daughter Amy and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SFA.

Anne found great joy in volunteering her time and talents to many local organizations over the years. She contributed many hours at Heartbeat Pregnancy Center in Nacogdoches. She was a member of the Ladies Guild at Sacred Heart Church. She served as a "Pink Lady" at Nacogdoches Medical Center, which is where her desire to become a registered nurse began. She was active in the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) for the Tyler diocese. She served as treasurer for many of these organizations

She loved playing bridge, putting together puzzles, and having her house decorated at Christmas. She hosted many family meals where all would gather at the table. The family football game in the front yard at Thanksgiving was among her favorite holiday activities. She enjoyed watching her 9 grandchildren take part in events ranging from baseball, football and volleyball games to bike racing, and horse shows. She also enjoyed seeing her grandchildren participate in the marching band and perform at various musical and ballet recitals as well as showing livestock in local and major shows.

 Anne is survived by her devoted children, Johnny Derfus, Mary Reed and husband Troy, and Amy Meador and husband James; grandchildren Justin Saunders and wife Sara, Daniel Derfus, Luke Derfus, Kyle Smith, Tara Smith, Joseph Meador, Micah Meador, Lea Derfus, and Meagan Smith, Anne is preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers with whom she was very close, Gaius G Gannon Jr., John P. Gannon MD, George Gannon, Fr. Robert Gannon, and an infant son Francis.

Pallbearers will be Justin Saunders, Daniel Derfus, Luke Derfus, Kyle Smith, Joseph Meador, and Micah Meador.

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