Anna Mae Ziamandanis

Albany-Anna Mae Ziamandanis (O’Keefe), 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by her four children on August 24, 2014. Anna was born in Albany, NY on November 2, 1931, the daughter of the late Denis and Nora O’Keefe. The daughter of Irish immigrants, Anna was an Albany resident her entire life. She attended St. Patrick’s School, and graduated from Vincentian Institute. Anna was a devoted mother of four who dedicated her life to raising her children. She discovered her passion for music and dancing early on when she began singing on the radio, playing piano, and teaching her children and others to dance. Jitterbug lessons in the kitchen were commonplace. Anna shared these passions lovingly with her grandchildren, whom she adored. The quintessential homemaker, Anna enjoyed and excelled at cooking and gardening. She was also extremely active in the PTA, Boys and Girl Scouts, and the Board of Elections, where she worked the election polls for decades. Anna was passionate about politics and never missed an opportunity to engage in political dialogue. Later in life, Anna began her professional career in the English Department at St. Anne’s Institute. She retired in 2010 after twenty-three years of loving, caring, and nurturing the girls in her classroom. The oldest of three siblings, she was predeceased by her two brothers, Denis and James, and her stepfather David Manwiller. Anna is survived by her four children, Eileen Cusick (Paul), Gail Ziamandanis (Rob), Debra Devine (Gus), and Stephen Ziamandanis (Claire); grandchildren, Megan, Alex, Rachel, Adrianne, Madeline, Grace and Dennis. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and several sisters-in-law. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Teresian House, Carmel Gardens West for their loving care and emotional support for Anna and her family. Funeral services Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 12:00 pm at the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany where a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may visit 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, August 29, 2014 in McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany. To leave a message for the family, obtain directions or view other helpful services, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of NENY, Pine West Plaza, Building #4, Suite 405, Washington Avenue Extension, Albany, NY 12205.

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Anna Mae Ziamandanis

November 2, 1931 - August 24, 2014