Anna Halpin

July 24, 1923 - May 9, 2011 OKLAHOMA CITY Anna M. Halpin, FAIA, of Oklahoma City, formerly of New York City, died Monday, May 9, 2011 after a brief illness. She was the daughter of John and Anna Halpin and was born July 24, 1923 in Murphysboro, IL. Ms. Halpin attended Southern Illinois University and was a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Architecture in 1948. She commenced her career in San Francisco, moving to New York City in 1953. She was the nineteenth woman to be awarded the distinguished designation of Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Ms. Halpin's concern for women and minority architects is well known. While serving on the AIA New York Chapter's Equal Opportunities Committee, she co-authored the Resolution on Women in Architecture and presented it at the 1973 AIA convention where it was passed. In 1976, she was admitted to the College of Fellows. In 1979, she was the first woman speaker to participate in the University of Illinois College of Architecture graduation as their commencement speaker. Anna retired as Manager of Sweet's Division of McGraw-Hill Information Systems Company in New York. Ten years after her retirement she moved to Oklahoma City to be near members of her family. She resided at The Fountains of Canterbury. Ms. Halpin had one brother and five sisters that predeceased her. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews and their children. A memorial service will be held at The Fountains of Canterbury on Friday, May 13, at 2:30 p.m. A reception will follow. Memorials may be sent to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture for the AIA scholarship fund.