“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant”, Robert Louis Stevenson.
This was not Anna Jane’s motto; it was her DNA.
At age 81, Anna Jane Shally, of Pittsburgh, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2022. Adored wife of Mark T. Persic. Dearly loved mother of Chris Stockhausen (Karyn Fife), Nora Stockhausen (David DuBois), and Peter Stockhausen (Christina). Cherished grandmother of Jacob, Alex, Grace, Sam, and Finley. Preceded in death by sisters Jean Stutz and Mary Sobocinski and adored by generations of nieces and nephews. Anna Jane was loved by the world who knew her as Anna Jane, AJ, Anna, Toodie, Mom, Madre, Gram, Grammy. Born in Pittsburgh to the late Eleanor and William F. Shally. Anna Jane grew up in Mount Washington, where she lived from 1941 until 1990. After living in Crafton for almost 30 years, Anna Jane moved to Oakland in 2019. Anna Jane graduated from St. Mary of the Mount High School in 1959, from Carlow College with a BS in Sociology in 1985, and from Duquesne University with a MS in Community Counseling in 1990. As a teacher, creator, organizer, mentor and counselor, Anna Jane spent her career at Point Park Children’s School, Holy Family Institute, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and the Parents as Teacher’s Program, always a fierce advocate for children, parents, and families.
Anna Jane was a gatherer of people—she drew people close with genuine interest, generosity of spirit, and infinite affection, making everyone feel thoroughly special. She loved creating traditions that connected the people she loved, nourishing us with her poems, love, and home cooked food. Anna Jane was well known for writing notes of thanks, encouragement, praise, and love, touching each recipient with her intimate words. To the end, Anna Jane found something to appreciate in everything—her glass never got close to ½ empty.
Anna Jane lived by the words of Virginia Satir: “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.” She faced the vicissitudes of life with honesty, courage, compassion, and resilience.
Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Friday March 25 from 2-4 and 6-8PM. The family will host a joyful Celebration of Life in Anna Jane’s honor on Saturday March 26 from 4 - 8 PM at Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory 614 Pressley Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. All are welcome and guests will be invited to share a personal remembrance of Anna Jane. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Shally Family Scholarship Endowment at Carlow College (https://giving.carlow.edu/campaigns/shally-family-scholarship-endowment#/). (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Anna Jane Shally, please visit our floral store.