Anna Katherine King

Newport, - Anna Katherine King, 87, of Newport, died Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late Richard Tully King.Born on Gallows Hill in Salem Hospital, Salem, Massachusetts on August 29, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Mary (McKeon) Parsons. Anna grew up in Peabody, MA, in a family of five sisters and four brothers, with a father immigrating to the United States from Ireland and a mother of Irish heritage, Anna was 100% Irish and proud of it. Growing up she always enjoyed hearing tales about the Emerald Isle. She loved singing the old Irish classics and later listening to the music of Celtic Women and Enya. After graduating from Peabody High School in 1943, Ann worked for Sylvania Lights, a defense plant, soldering lights for airplane bombers. During WWII, Anne worked for New England Telephone Company as a What Number Please switchboard operator. After the war, Ann married her high school sweetheart, Richard King. Ann and Dick began their married life in Salem, MA. In 1950 they moved to Newport, RI when Dick took a scientist position at the Newport Naval Underwater Weapons Center.Through the years Anns eight children kept her very busy. Sewing and knitting were her passions. Ann hand smocked beautiful dresses for her daughters and their dolls and sewed prom dresses for her daughters. She also knit many sweaters, hats and mittens for family members. Due to her interest in decorating and designing homes, Ann lived in several beautiful houses throughout Aquidneck Island. Ann enjoyed shopping and through her generosity, she always remembered her twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren, buying them many toys, clothing and goodies. She was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America, and did volunteer work for Newport Hospital and the Cancer Society. Besides her large family, she forged many friendships over the years and kept in touch by phone, letters or get togethers, especially at the Newport Creamery. She touched the lives of many. Everyone will miss her smile and friendliness. She leaves her children Suzanne MacDonald, Kathleen Kenney both of Newport, RI, Barbara Ann Burton of Coventry, Kara Elizabeth King Barron of Middletown, RI, Richard T. King, Jr. of Foster, RI, Edward T. King II of Middletown, RI, and John M. King Newport, RI. She was the sister of Lillian Luciani of CA and Virginia Provencher of MA. She was grandmother of twelve and great grandmother of three.She was the mother of the late Deborah Ann Lucas and grandmother of the late Alexander Kenney. Ann was sister of the late Walter Parsons, James Parsons, Robert Parsons, John Parsons, Rita Blumberg, Alice Farnsworth, and Dorothy Baccari.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, evening from 4:00pm - 7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 9:00a.m., from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00a.m., in St. Marys Church, Spring Street at Memorial Blvd, Newport.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation AUG 14. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service AUG 15. 10:00 AM St. Marys Catholic Church 12 William Street Newport, RI, US, 02840