Anna K. Frederico, 87, of Grafton

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Obit Anna FrdericoGrafton – Anna K. Frederico, 87, Colonel Retired U.S. Army Nurse, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015.

She is survived by two brothers, Tom and sister-in-law Bonnie Frederico of Grafton and Francis and sister-in-law Ann Frederico of Millbury; eight nieces, Roberta (Brian) Maynard, Maria (Timothy) Smith, Karen Frederico, Gina (Craig) Pariseau, Lisa (Paul) Zuraw, Tammi (Kirk) Marois, Tracy (Keith) Love, Beth (Mark) Otis; five nephews, Martin Michael (Linda) Frederico, Jr., John (Jane) Frederico, Mark (Diane) Frederico, Steven Frederico, Robert (Linda) Frederico, Jr.; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Martin and Robert Frederico Sr., and sisters-in-law Dorothea Frederico and Muriel Frederico.

Anna was born Feb. 7, 1928 in Worcester, daughter of the late Martin A. and Anna L. (Sena) Frederico. Her family moved to Grafton in 1943, and she called Grafton her home. She lived in many places of the world throughout her career and returned to live in Grafton upon retirement from the military in 1986.

She graduated from Grafton High School, class of 1946, and Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1949, with a diploma in Nursing. She received her B.S. degree in Nursing from Boston College School of Nursing and Master’s degree in Nursing from Boston University.

She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society in Nursing, Boston College Chapter, and past member of the American Nurses Association, American Public Health Association and the National League for Nursing. In 1975, she received the Amita Award, given to Outstanding Military Women of Italian Heritage.

Following graduation from Worcester City in 1946, she worked in Veterans Administration Hospitals in Framingham, West Roxbury and then West Haven, Conn. Subsequently, she entered the field of Public Health Nursing and was employed by the Worcester Visiting Nurse Association for six years, prior to entering the military.

She proudly served as a public health nurse in the U.S. Army for over 23 years, retiring as a Colonel. Among her commendations was the Legion of Merit awarded at retirement. Assignments included Ft. Dix, NJ, Ft. Gordon, GA, Tripler Army Medical Center, Hawaii, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA Medical Command, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, (Consultant in Community Health Nursing); The Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing, Washington, DC (Assistant Professor).

She had two special assignments: one a humanitarian mission to Guam to assist with the relocation of Vietnamese refugees following the fall of Saigon in 1975, and another assignment in Thailand under auspices of South East Asia Treaty Organization (Seato), which was to provide medical care to the people of Thailand.

She enjoyed her loving care family, her Catholic faith, and the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military. She dedicated time volunteering to help military families upon retirement.

Following retiring from the U.S. Army in 1986, she taught Nursing at Anna Maria College, fully retiring in 1990, and became involved in community volunteering. She was a communicant of St. Phillip Catholic Parish, Grafton, and active in church ministries. She served as a Eucharistic Minister, served on the bereavement committee, Veterans Ministry, and served as the Safe Environment Coordinator for the Parish for several years.

She had the 25-year Red Cross pin, having taught the Prepared Childbirth classes for many years. She was a member of the Worcester RSVP, volunteering in the Head Start preschool literacy Worcester program for many years. She was a member and past president of the Worcester County Chapter of Military Officers Association of America, a member of the New England Army Retiree Council, served on the Board of the former Age Center of Worcester, member of the Army Nurse Corps Association, Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing Alumni, and Grafton Crimson Belles Red Hats. She was a former member of the Boston College School of Nursing Alumni Association.

All are invited to gather with Anna’s family and friends Friday, Sept. 25, from 5-8 p.m., at Roney Funeral Home, 152 Worcester St., North Grafton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., at St. Phillip’s Church, 12 West St., Grafton. All attending the funeral Mass are politely requested to go directly to the church. Burial with military honors will be private at her family’s convenience.

Anna’s family requests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice or to St. Phillip’s Church, 12 West St., Grafton, MA 01519.

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