Raftery, Anna M.

Anna M. (Hill) Raftery, 95, of Canton passed away surrounded by her loving family and the caring and compassionate staff of the Copley Rehabilitation Center on October 7, 2021.

Anna was born in Boston on August 24, 1926, to the late Frederick and Mary Hill. Anna lived and worked throughout the greater New England and Boston areas for much of her life. She wed the love of her life, Joseph P. “Dick” Raftery and found her true home in Canton, where she lived for over 40 years. Anna converted from English Protestant to Roman Catholic so that she and Dick could worship in the same house of God, mostly as members of the St. John the Evangelist Parish in Canton. Though she was a religious convert, Anna fiercely clung to her English heritage and could often be heard playfully jousting with her Irish husband.

Anna held many jobs throughout her life, but always saw her most important one as being a mother to her children and then “nana” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Never having gotten a driver’s license, she could often be seen walking throughout the town of Canton. From Cobb’s Corner to the closest Dunkin Donuts, she would walk miles a day and interact with the members of the community. Whether it was buying coffee for police officers working on the road or bread to feed the ducks, she always looked out for the welfare of others.

Anna loved to play bingo and the excitement of the occasional gambling trip and would spend much of her time with her son and daughter-in-law in these pursuits. She would enjoy taking random car rides with her son and daughter and would ask to travel to stores out of town to shop so that she could enjoy more of their time.

Anna is survived by five children: her daughter Nadine J. Daley and her husband, Wayne, of Canton; her son John Bourne and his wife, Mindy, of Rockland; her son Joseph Bourne and his wife, Mary, of Dorchester; her son Kevin Bourne of North Attleboro; and her son Thomas Raftery of Randolph. She was predeceased by her son Thomas Bourne and her daughter Darlene Bourne, both of Boston. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Anna was predeceased by one grandchild.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Wednesday, October 13, in St. John the Evangelist Church in Canton. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton. Arrangements by the Pushard Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, www.roache-pushard.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Anna’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Oct 14 2021. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.