Anne Payor Armstrong

Anne Payor Armstrong Anne Armstrong passed away peacefully in her own home Tuesday, September 21st. Anne was born August 29th, 1915 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Louis and Katarina Payor, of Croatian decent. The family moved to the Detroit area shortly thereafter. Anne attended Detroit Public Schools and in 1939 went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree at Wayne State University. While at Wayne State, she met and married fellow student James Hare. Anne and Jim had three children, Patricia, Michael and Bruce. Jim started his career as a teacher and later served as Secretary of State from 1955-1971. During these hectic days, Anne was the consummate political wife, often spending time on the campaign trail while still managing a household full of three rambunctious kids. In spite of her busy life, she still found time to enjoy her own activities, particularly her lifelong love of painting and overall appreciation of the arts. One of her favorite activities was taking her grandchildren to the Cranbrook Art Museum or the Detroit Institute of Art, where as a student she watched Diego Rivera paint his famous interior fresco. After a divorce in the mid 60's, she returned to Detroit and again attended Wayne State University, this time receiving a Master's Degree in Education in 1967. After obtaining this degree, she began a career as Special Education teacher at Berkshire Jr. High School in Birmingham, MI. She loved the job and excelled at it from 1967 until her retirement in 1982. She was rewarded in her efforts by earning the ''Charley Award'': Special Education Teacher of the Year in 1972. It was at this time in her life that she married her second husband, Robert Armstrong. In addition to being a loving wife, mother and teacher, Anne also used her own insight to help others by working with the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Oakland County. The Alliance awarded her the ''Michael A Curtis Memorial Award" in 1987, and then its highest Leadership Award ten years later. She was a lifelong crusader for the legal rights of the mentally ill and worked tirelessly to help those individuals better integrate themselves into society. Anne is survived by her Sons Michael (Alison), Salem, OR, and Bruce (Vicki), East Lansing, MI her Granddaughters Chelsea (Greg, son Xavier), Grand Ledge, MI and Nichol, New York, NY, Brother Louis, Sister Virginia, her Nephews Steve and Russell and long time family friend Gerald Ososki. Anne was also thrilled to know she was expecting her second Great Grandchild in December. She was preceded in death by her Parents Louis and Katarina, her Brother Charles, her Sister Goldie and her daughter Patricia, as well as both of her husbands. As Anne was a lifelong Unitarian, a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 9 at 11 a.m. at The Birmingham Unitarian Church, 38651 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48034. Rev. Dr. Kathy Hurt will officiate. Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Oakland County 30233 Southfield Rd., Suite 220 Southfield, MI, 48076 or to the Special Olympics of Michigan, 3800 Hamlin Road, Auburn Hills MI, 48326. www.thayer-rock.com