Anna M. DeRosa

Anna M. (Heeney) DeRosa, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30 at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester. She was born in Jersey City, NJ to Louis and Mary (Swan) Heeney. Anna lived in New Jersey most of her life until she moved to Shrewsbury in 1990.

Anna worked as a practical nurse, and a civilian secretary for the Navy while her children were young. She was also part of the Rosie-the-Riveter campaign during WWII. Anna later operated her own millinery shop where she designed and created women's hats. She loved cooking, sewing, painting and caring for pets. Anna especially enjoyed spending time with her family. One of her greatest prides was hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her home in Ridgefield Park, NJ.

Anna's first husband Harold Durkin passed away in 1940. Her second husband Anthony A. DeRosa passed away in 1994.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her son Ray Michael Durkin of Long Island NY, and a brother Joseph Heeney of NJ.

Anna leaves her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Frank Viscardi of Westborough and her daughter-in-law Johanne Durkin of Wading River, NY. She also leaves seven grandchildren, Kenneth Viscardi and his wife Linda of CA, Steven Viscardi and his wife Leslie of FL, Gail Granger and her husband Lance of Chelmsford, MA, Beth Viscardi of Shrewsbury, MA, Deborah Durkin-Puia and her husband Frank of Ashland, MA, Christopher Durkin and his wife Danielle of NY, and Michael Durkin of CO; her nine great-grandchildren, Caitlin Viscardi and Jessica Daddigan of CA, Jacqueline and Benjamin Long and Anna Viscardi of FL, Lindsey and Emily Granger of Chelmsford, MA, and Alec and Annelise Durkin of NY. She is also survived by her brother, Louis Heeney of CA, her sister-in-law Lillian Heeney of NJ, and nieces and nephews. Anna leaves her special friends Gail and George David of Shrewsbury.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the extraordinary staff at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester for their loving and compassionate care during Anna's 2 1/2 year stay.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4, at 1:00 P.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial will follow in St. Luke's Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough, are Friday, October 3, from 5 to 7 P.M.

Donations can be made to the Worcester Animal Rescue League, 139 Holden Street, Worcester, MA 01606 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

westboroughfuneralhome.com