Anna Catherine McNalley

Anna Catherine McNalley passed away on Feb. 22, 2025, at the age of 94, in Manistique, Michigan. The youngest of five girls, Anna was born June 13, 1930, to Joseph and Anna (Benkovic) LaClaff in Lapeer, MI She attended Lapeer High School, graduating in 1948. There, she met the love of her life, George William McNalley Jr., and the two were married on April 15, 1955, when he returned home from serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. They enjoyed 62 years of marriage and were deeply in love until the end.
George and Anna raised three children, Cathy, Jim, and Patty, in Lapeer, and the family spent summers in the Upper Peninsula on the Two Hearted River and at Muskallonge Lake. Later, George and Anna moved to Grand Marais on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. There, they owned and operated the general store from 1979 to the mid-1980s. The old Grand Marais Post Office was attached to the store, and Anna ran an antique and gift shop out of the historic building. The McNalley's were well loved by the people of Grand Marais, many of whom would stop by the store just to visit. Anna also volunteered her time at the ranger station for the National Lakeshore. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh.
Living on Lake Superior, one of Anna's favorite pastimes was hunting for agates, carnelian, jasper, and other semi-precious stones on the lakeshore. She had many fine examples displayed in her home and passed the joy of the hunt to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was also a skilled cribbage player, as well as pool, bridge, bowling, and golfing, and she really loved going to the casinos. She spent many hours seeking out treasures at garage sales and enjoyed having her own sales as well.
Anna is survived by son Jim (Jody) McNalley of Mt. Morris, MI; daughter Patty Myers of Manistique, MI; son-in-law Tom Kaltz of Gulliver, MI; grandchildren Krystal, Jimmie (Jaime), and Josh (Sammie); eight great-grandchildren Logan, Jordan, Larkyn, Colin, Rylee, Taylen, Jade, and Sylas; and three great-great-grandchildren, Oliver, Jameson, and Wynona.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna LaClaff; husband George McNalley; daughter Cathy Kaltz; son-in-law Casey Myers; and sisters Irene Jostock, Margie Conger, Johanna Ostrander, and Betty Pearson.
Donations in Anna's honor may be directed to the Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility in Manistique.
Her family would like to thank the loving and caring staff at Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital.
Fausett Family Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.