Northborough – Anna S. Priestley, 93, a longtime resident of Northborough, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024 with her daughter by her side. Born and raised in Worcester, Anna was one of nine children to the late Antoni and Bertha (Siwik) Lewandowski.
She was a 1950 graduate of Worcester’s Commerce High School. For 56 years Anna made Northborough her home. Recently, she relocated to Wisconsin to be closer to her daughter’s family.
On February 27, 1954, she married Samuel Priestley in Worcester, MA. As a Navy wife, she traveled and lived all over the country. Their final tour was in Japan, where Anna embraced the culture and made Japanese dolls by hand for many family members. Upon settling in Northborough, she became involved in her church and family activities.
For many years she provided special treats for the elderly in the community nursing homes, delivering them in person with a smile and a kind word. Devoted to her Catholic faith, Anna embodied the Word of God by always having an extra place at her table, a room in her home, or a word of encouragement for anyone who needed it. She knew no strangers. As her physical body slowed, her mind never did. To stay sharp, she enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and would accept a challenge for a game of Scrabble at any time.
For over 32 years, Anna greeted customers with a friendly smile as they shopped at Honey Farms convenience store in Northborough. She was most proud to have been honored with a banquet in recognition of being their longest serving employee. Anna was a longtime member of Saint Rose of Lima Parish where she also served as a eucharistic minister. Above all, she was devoted to her beloved family.
Surviving Anna are her three children, a daughter Malissa (Don) Priestley-Carey of Center Harbor NH, a daughter Karen (Denis) Christopherson of Waupun WI, and a son Glenn (Dina) Priestley of Northborough; her grandchildren Michael (Amanda) Collard of Danvers, Sam Carey of Mills Falls VT, Samantha Priestley of Florida, Nathan Christopherson of Beaver Dam WI, Nicholas Carey of Epsom NH, Mary Christopherson of Fond du lac WI, Christopher Carey of West Osipee NH, Holly Brennan of Whitinsville; and great-grandson Layne Carey of West Osipee NH. Anna also leaves her sister Edna Slowaski of Shrewsbury, sisters-in-law Ann Lewandowski of Millbury, Virginia Lewandowski of Leominster, brother-in-law John Drewski of Rochester NY; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Samuel Priestley, a son Alan Priestley; her identical twin Mary Lewandowski; brothers and sisters Edwin Lewandowski, Walter Lewandowski, Joan Lewandowski, John Lewandowski, Francis Drewski, Thadeus Lewandowski and a very special friend Bill Vinal.
Calling hours will be held between the hours of 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough. Interment will follow in Howard Street Cemetery, Northborough.
Anna’s family respectfully request memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.com.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
