"Dear Anastas Family, Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. What a wonderfully written obituary on the remarkable life of Mrs. Anastas. You were all fortunate to have her in your lives as she was to have each of you. I am sorry that we were not able to attend any of her services. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Bernie and Susie Koch"
In loving memory of
Mary Bailey Anastas
September 6, 1928 - August 25, 2021
Mary Bailey Anastas, 92, of Quincy, died peacefully on Wednesday morning, August 25, 2021, at Good Samaritan Home in Quincy.
She was born September 6, 1928, in a mid-wife's house in Palmyra, MO. Her parents, William Franklyn and Rose May Bauernfiend Bailey, took her home in a horse and buggy to the Bailey farm near Woodland, MO. For the first eleven years of her life the farm had no electricity. Mary attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse in Woodland. She graduated from Palmyra High School in 1946 where she played trumpet in the marching band, sang in the chorus, and worked on the school yearbook and newspaper staffs. Despite growing up during the Great Depression, Mary and her two sisters thrived in a warm, loving family environment.
After graduating from High School, Mary and her older sister Margaret moved to Quincy to find jobs. The next six years (1946-1952) were some of the most carefree of her life. Mary went to work for the International Shoe Company in Quincy. She and her sister rented an apartment and purchased a car together. They began taking vacations with friends to the Ozarks, attending St. Louis Cardinals baseball games and enjoying themselves in the "big city". When the city bus workers went on strike, Mary started riding to work with a shoe factory coworker named Frederick W. Anastas. On June 30, 1952 they were married in St. Boniface Church and spent their honeymoon in Colorado Springs, CO.
During the nine years between 1952 and 1961 the couple had seven children, 5 boys and 2 girls. To make life even more challenging, after the first four babies, the family moved from Quincy to a small farmhouse in Missouri with no indoor plumbing or central heat. Raising seven kids using cloth diapers in a house with no running water must have been some of the most challenging days of her life.
In 1963 the family of nine moved back to Quincy due to Fred's deteriorating health. He had suffered from Rheumatic Fever as a child which damaged the valves in his heart. He underwent experimental valve replacement surgery but passed away on July 1, 1965 at age 37. One can only imagine her thoughts during that restless night after her husband of 13 years passed away.
Mary now faced the daunting challenge of raising seven children - all 12 years or younger - on her own. She had to find a job after 13 years of being a stay-at-home Mom. Moreover, she took care of her own Mother for several years on weekends after a full week of work. The fact that she was able to overcome all these obstacles in her life and not only survive but actually thrive earned her the undying admiration of her children as well as everyone who knew her. She was truly an amazing person!
As the kids grew up and left home, Mary finally had some time for herself. She became active in the Central Baptist Church where she and her younger sister Mildred (Bailey) Allen were enthusiastic volunteers. She participated in Sunday School Class, the Chuppers Group, the Ladies Circle and sang in the choir. She was a member of the Salvation Army Ladies Auxiliary and participated in the annual "Dress an Angel" program and she volunteered at St. Mary's Hospital Ophthalmology Center doing whatever they needed her to do.
In her later years Mary was finally able to "see the world" while visiting her kids and grandkids who settled into careers across the country and overseas. Her travels included trips to both the east coast (NY, MA, ME, VA, NC, FL) and the west coast (WA, OR, CA) and much of the rest of the country as well. She made two trips to Europe, and vacationed in Canada, Hawaii, Wyoming, and Colorado with family. She started in a one room schoolhouse in Woodland MO but ended up traveling the world - from Palmyra to Paris!
Mary is survived by six children: Cathy Schmitt (Richard), Fred (Velvet Darnell) and Brenda Koch (Dave) of Quincy; Kevin (Kathie) of Lake Anna, VA, Mark (Jeane) of Portland, OR, and Chuck (Debbie) of Mooresville, NC; and one daughter-in-law Kathy (Baker) Anastas of Quincy. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
In addition to her husband Frederick William Anastas, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Terrence Anastas; two sisters, Margaret (Bailey) Anastas and Mildred (Bailey) Allen; brothers-in-law, Nicholas Anastas, John Anastas and Gilbert Allen; and a sister-in-law, Ruth (Payton) Anastas.
Hers was truly a life well lived. She was an amazing person and will be missed by everyone who knew her. Her high school yearbook Class Will may have said it best, "Mary Bailey wills her quiet friendliness to anyone who can make use of it."
And to this the family can only add: "Well done, good and faithful servant." We are so grateful.
VISITATION: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
SERVICES: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Central Baptist Church with Pastor Jason Sommerfeldt officiating. Burial to follow at St. Anthony Church Cemetery.
LUNCHEON: Following the graveside service, all are invited to the Fellowship Hall of the Central Baptist Church for a luncheon.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS please make donations to Central Baptist Church, the Salvation Army or the charity of the donor's choice.
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements
Tributes
"To each and all of the family - and yes, I can still name each and all in order - I cannot express here what you already know. To raise her family into the character and quality of all of you as a single mother was nothing short of remarkable. I have great memories of your mom, and I will remember her. How could one not? May your memories and sense of family get you through this trying time. Best to all."
"What a beautiful video tribute to Mary and her full life. Sympathies to her children ~ the ole Cherry Street gang. :-)"
"What a lovely obituary. She was a kind and loving woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God has a new angel."
"Fred and Family - I am sorry for your loss - I wish you peace"
"Some of the fondest memories are visiting Quincy on vacation where as kids we would ride bikes around the neighborhood, go to the pool and Aunt Mary would make fried chicken and her wonderful baked beans. Those were the days. Michele (Anastas) Cooley "
"Chuck, Deborah and the Anastas family we send our sincere sympathy for your loss. God has taken a lovely lady in his arms and she is now at peace. Mary always had a sweet smile and a kind word for all. She is smiling now at God. Bill and Gloria Moore"