Obituary of Anne Mary Alexander

Anne M. Alexander passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family, on Thursday, December 28, 2023. She had shared 86 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, and unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Born in Manhattan, NY to the late Thomas and Beatrice Gilmartin, Anne shared her home with two older supportive brothers Joe and Jack, who she adored. She was raised in Bronx, NY where she met her loving husband Ed Alexander her best friend and soulmate, they filled their lives with fun and adventure hand in hand for 39 years. You would rarely see one without the other. They found their forever home in Lake Hiawatha, where they raised five daughters.  Anne and Ed’s home was a lively, busy home full of joy and love. When her daughters were grown, she pursued her dream of attending college and went on to earn an Associate Degree.

Anne worked for many years in graphic design as a paste up artist, using her creative skills where she excelled in her profession for Redmond Press in Denville before retirement in 1999. Anne was an active member of many organizations, often holding an office including, Parsippany Elks, Red Hats, Parsippany Seniors, Lakeland Squares Dance Club, St. Peter’s Rosary Altar Society, and American Legion Auxiliary Lake Hiawatha.  Anne volunteered for many years at the Food Bank and until this November at St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville.  She worked at Northvail Elementary School in Parsippany as a classroom aide until this November, she will be dearly missed.

Even as a mom of 5 Anne found time for a bowling league and to play softball. In later years, she and Ed took up square dancing. Anne and Ed discovered camping and took family vacations with the girls every summer.  With the girls grown they traveled cross country on a month-long camping trip together finding new fun and adventures.  Anne continued to travel with friends to places like Ireland, Iceland, and Mallorca, Spain. Anne’s most favorite place to travel to was Ireland; each one of her grandchildren were taken to explore this beautiful country with her to meet family and learn about their Irish heritage. Anne loved spending time with her grandchildren, she took them on overnights, to the movies and out to dinner.  Family was always number one in Anne’s life, which is evident in the legacy of joy and grace she leaves behind.

Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved husband, Ed, her brothers, and her parents, in Heaven. She will be forever treasured by her adoring daughters, Deborah (Terry) Mank, Donna (Greg) Chauvette, Denise (Randy) Wheelwright, Dorene (James) Roche, and Dawn Alexander; her cherished grandchildren, Justin (fiancée Lauren Stilwell) Mank, Ryan (Alyson) Mank, Colin Mank, Caitlin (Adam) Faccone, Sara (Ryan) Fandel, Alex (Alexis) Chauvette, Tyler Wheelwright, Michael Roche, Nicholas Roche, Matthew Roche, Philip Klaar, and Olivia Klaar; her treasured great-grandchildren, Jackson, Cameron, and Lucas Faccone, Austin and Brayden Fandel, and Violet Chauvette; and many dear extended family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Public Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2nd from 4 - 7 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834 www.normandean.com. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, January 3rd at 10 am at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover. Memorial

Donations are being accepted in Anne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, or share your favorite memory of Anne here to continue to celebrate her life and let her light shine.