Anna Coad

Anna Coad (nee Maksymiak), 96, of Central Square, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 22, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by several of her loved ones.

Anna grew up on a dairy farm near Durhamville, NY, during the Great Depression, went to school in a one-room schoolhouse and was 10 years old before her family had electricity. Her family moved to Syracuse in 1945, where she graduated with business classes from Blodgett Vocational High School. She later worked at Carrier Corporation and had several part-time positions during her years raising children. Ever resourceful, she pioneered "work from home" in the 1960s by placing an ad in a local paper and offering to pick up typing assignments during her children's naptimes for businesses with overflow work.

In her later years, Anna enjoyed round dancing, camping and traveling extensively in their RV, particularly enjoying spending winters in Arizona. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage, loved her sweets and had fun playing games with friends at her community center. Most of all, she loved her husband Robert Coad, with whom she spent a marriage of almost 70 years before his passing in 2018.

She remained resourceful and strong, living independently in her own home until her passing at age 96. If you asked her what she is most proud of, without hesitation, she would say her six children, every one of whom she loved deeply and saw as unique. As her family's matriarch, her legacy consists of: David (Christine) Coad, Marcia (Robert) Craft, Alan (Ellen) Coad, Michael Coad, Jennifer Kossman, and Jeanne (Philip) Marra; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She joins a great grandchild, who received her heavenly angelic wings in October.

A private memorial service will be held this spring, with burial to take place at West Monroe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Central Square Library (637 South Main Street; Central Square, NY 13036), Central Square Fire Department/EMT Services (PO Box 92; Central Square, NY 13036); or your favorite charity.