- Date Of Birth: August 13, 1923
- Date Of Death: May 25, 2009
- State: Michigan
Waldene Yvonne McAnallen 85 formerly of Midland died on Monday May 25, 2009 at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City where she had resided for the past five years. Waldene was born August 13, 1923 to Dunning and Nora (Baker) Defoe.
She grew up in Rittman Ohio, married William R. McAnallen July 14, 1941 and later moved to Midland. That is where the couple began to establish a home and to raise their seven children. Waldene was a homemaker which she took great pride in; she worked at Town and Country for several years as a Nurses Aide it was that training that helped her to care for her husband in his last year. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church where she was actively involved in the alter society as well as providing service during many of the church dinners. The church was a place of comfort for her.
She had an artistic flare which she expressed through a love of fabric, she was a wonderful seamstress. After raising her family she began to travel more, on cruises and other group tours to various parts of the country it was something she looked forward to and always brought home a variety of souvenirs and gifts from her shopping trips. Waldene was a strong and resilient woman, despite some of her limitations later in life she continued to bring a smile to one’s face and joy into the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be missed by many that described her as that “dear sweet woman”.
She is survived by her seven children five sons and two daughters, Tom (Carolyn) McAnallen of Lake Wylie, SC, Bill McAnallen of Traverse City, MI, Jim McAnallen (Jill Vandermeer) of Cornell MI, Navaneet “Linda” Kjeldsen of Hancock MI, Walt McAnallen of Traverse City, MI, Mary (Richard) Probst of Eagle Harbor, MI, and Joe McAnallen of Midland. She is also survived by her sister Pat (Larry) Warren of Midland, MI and her cousin Virginia Rohn of Wadsworth, OH Twelve grandchildren Sean (Nikki) McAnallen of Charlotte, NC, Julia McAnallen of Berkley CA, Erinn (Chris) Hadley of Lansing, MI, Angela McAnallen of Sunrise, Fl, Sam McAnallen of Escanaba MI, Cheryl Kjeldsen of Hancock, MI, Nick McAnallen of Grand Rapids, MI, Brooke McAnallen of Traverse City, MI, Andrea (Jim) Johns of Traverse City, MI, Richard (Kelly) Probst of Eagle Harbor, MI, Dustin Garner of Midland, MI, Whitney McAnallen of Midland, MI. Eight great grand children, Callie Johns and Trinity Johns of Traverse City, MI, Richard Probst, Taylor Probst and Kate Probst of Eagle Harbor, MI, Shaye Hadley and Averie Hadley of Lansing, MI, and Allison Garner of Midland, MI. Preceding her in death besides her parents were her husband William R. McAnallen and son in law Paul Kjeldsen.
