Anna was the most spirited and kind-hearted human being. Her bright smile, warm hugs and beautiful laughter will be greatly missed by all her that knew her.

Anna E. Lanoie, 81, of Alfred, Maine passed peacefully at home with her family by her side on November 12, 2022.

Anna was born on February 21, 1941, in Lowell, Massachusetts, the daughter of William F. and Anne E. (Kroll) Desmond.

Anna was raised by her mother Anne and stepfather Harold Randall. She grew up in Old Orchard Beach and attended the primary schools and attended Old Orchard Beach High School. This is where she met the love of her life and married William Elza Lanoie, Jr. on September 12, 1959.

They nurtured and welcomed into their home and hearts, four children, Elizabeth, William (Bill) and Tammera (Tami) and adopted son, Kevin. Anna was not only a beloved mother, but she worked full time outside the home at a variety of jobs. With her kind heartedness and bright smile, she worked at Friendly’s and Bonanza. She also worked as a stitcher for many years at Allied Shoe and Nike Shoe and for time at Sprague Electric.

Anna will be remembered by her friends and children for all the spaghetti dinners, beautiful voice, playing the guitar, singing songs, karaoke and playing cards (make sure you have your card money!) and Yahtzee. She loved spending time with her family and friends, reading, crocheting, cooking, watching the birds and her Hallmark movies and mysteries.

Her grandchildren have fond memories of sitting around the dining room table playing games, in which she would often find a creative way to win! Her great-grandchildren were a great sunshine in Anna’s life, and she could be found playing hide and seek, peek-a-boo or singing silly songs and snuggling them in the rocking chair continuing to spread her warmth and love.

Anna was immensely proud to return to the Sanford Adult Education program and received her high school diploma in 2003. It was another example of her fortitude to complete this milestone. I am sure she was an inspiration and fun student in her class!

Anna was a sweet soul whose life shone the brightest and was our guiding light and we can only hope that part of you trickles on all of us so we can leave this world a better place. How lucky we all are to have had you in our lives all these years – because you were not discovered by some Hollywood director and cast as a star – like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe - You were OUR STAR!

We will miss her hugs, encouragement, and laughter. She was a hugger, and it was contagious and shared with everyone.

She is lovingly remembered by her children: Elizabeth (Betty) Lanoie, William (Bill) Lanoie and wife Cindy, and Tammera (Tami) Caramihalis and husband John and adopted son, Kevin Staple and wife Tammy. Anna was affectionately called Nammie by her grandchildren: Rheanna Lanoie and boyfriend Marvin Vasquez, Katherine Caramihalis Rackliff and husband Jake, Selena Caramihalis Lecain and husband Nicolas, Samantha Caramihalis, John Caramihalis III, Megan Lanoie Hart and husband Christian, and Hannah Lanoie and boyfriend Preston Long.

Anna had six and half great-grandchildren: Jayce Smith, Elysee and William Lecain, Sawyer and Sophia Rackliff, Thea Holland, and Baby Hart due in February.

Her brothers Ralph and Donald Desmond, and lifelong friend Mildred Michaud, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband William of 45 years and infant daughter, Deborah Lanoie. Her parents Anne E. Randall and stepfather Harold Randall, Father William Desmond, sister Marcia Boyne, and brothers Dennis, John, Paul, Gerry, and William Desmond.

A private celebration of Anna’s life will be held.

Online tributes and condolences may be share at Anna’s Book of Memories at www.bibbersautumngreen.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis TN 38105.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., in Alfred.