Obituary of Anna MacKenzie Chiusano

Anna M. Chiusano, 98, passed away peacefully the evening of May 17, 2019 in the company of her loving family in La Mesa, California. 

 

Born in New York on July 4, 1920, Anna was the child of Ellen Irvine MacKenzie and Thomas MacKenzie, both of Scotland.  She spent most of her childhood and adulthood in the Chicago area.  She met her husband, Samuel, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and they married in 1945 after  Samuel returned from WWII. They raised two children in Chicago: a daughter, Joanne; and a son, Michael.  Anna was an accountant for various companies in the Chicago area before relocating to San Diego, California in 1974, and continuing to work for J.C. Penney, retiring in 1982.  In retirement, she enjoyed time with family, friends, and pets, as well as gardening and reading.

 

In her memory, we want to honor the things Anna loved and cherished most. She had a love of words, taking great pleasure in spelling bee competitions as a child, and later in life spent hours entertaining herself with crossword puzzles and other word games. She was drawn to care for the helpless, always showing generosity and affection for animals, children, and those in need. Above all else Anna valued family, taking great pride as she watched her children, grandson, and great grandson all grow from infants into flourishing adults.

 

Anna is survived by her daughter, Joanne Dillingham and her husband, Jerry Dillingham; grandson Sean Dillingham and his spouse Kara; and great grandson, Exely Dillingham.  She was predeceased by her husband, Samuel Chiusano, and her son, Michael A. Chiusano, as well as her brother, Thomas MacKenzie, and two sisters, Margaret Walker and Helen Hale.  

 

Anna will be interred at Fort Rosecrans, joining her husband, Samuel, on July 2, 2019 at 11:30 am.  A celebration of her life will follow for friends and family.  Details will be announced at a later date.  

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Anna’s name may be made to The Dementia Society of America, or Sharp Hospice.

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