Anne Mary Howley

Anne Mary Martha Caroline Howley, 62, of Weslaco, Texas, formerly of Lansing and East Lansing, died July 8, 2024.

She was born August 23, 1961, at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, the daughter of Rosemary (Corcoran) Howley and William P. Howley. They preceded her in death in 1994 and 2001, respectively. An older brother, John Charles Howley, had died at birth in 1957.

She is survived by two brothers, Joseph of Lansing and William P. Jr. (Pat), also of Lansing; two sisters, Martha of Lansing and Rosemary Howley Buhl of East Lansing; brother-in-law Andrew Buhl of East Lansing; nephew Jack Buhl of East Lansing; four nieces, Rebecca Buhl, Andrea Buhl, Rosemary Buhl, and Bridget Buhl, all of East Lansing; and numerous cousins in the Howley, Corcoran, and Joseph families.

In her younger years, she had been especially close to her grandmothers, Martha Nester Corcoran and Caroline Condren Howley, as well as her aunt, Martha Ann (Corcoran) Joseph.

She graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas School, East Lansing High School, and Michigan State University from the College of Education.

After graduating from MSU and student teaching in Lansing, she became an elementary school teacher in Weslaco in 1985 and continued that career in various educational positions until her retirement in 2015. 

Over the course of her career, she taught hundreds of children reading, language arts, art, social studies, and any other subject needed. She particularly enjoyed sharing her love of reading, finding just the right inspiration for each student, whether it be a textbook, sci-fi book, or comic book. 

She took great pride in running into her former students (her "kids") around the Rio Grande Valley, who greeted her with hugs and thanks for the role she had played in their lives, even decades later. She truly taught her kids the magic of reading. 

Always a student herself, Anne read voraciously, enjoying everything from sci-fi to history, to a good cookbook. She encouraged her love of reading to everyone she met, particularly to her nephew and four nieces, to whom she sent hundreds of books. It was always a happy day in East Lansing when a box (typically heavy) from Aunt Anne arrived!

Anne was a fighter from birth. Born two months early and weighing just over 2 pounds at birth in 1961, she was not expected to survive. But survive, she did. She continued to fight for what she believed in standing up to authority, whether it was a nun in grade school (her parents were a bit aghast!), professors, and even her principals as a teacher, she didn't back down. 

Anne looked for ways to help others throughout her life. She donated blood platelets extensively throughout her adult life, hoping to make a difference in the fight against cancer, which took her father and several grandparents. She was the top donor for many years and was recognized repeatedly by United Blood Services of the Rio Grande Valley. She was saddened when her own health problems interfered with her ability to be a donor.

 It would be a tremendous honor to Anne if others considered becoming donors or supporting donation programs in their own communities.

Anne was generous and caring. She offered her help readily and was a dear friend to many. Even as her health declined, she sought ways to brighten the day of those around her through knitting and crocheting beautiful blankets, bags, and even small flowers. She enjoyed crafting in many ways and was very creative in her designs. 

Her creativity extended into her cooking as well. She was an adventurous cook--always throwing an unexpected vegetable or spice into any recipe, with varying degrees of success. She was well known for her delicious soups. 

Anne had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing a fun story with others. She never hesitated in allowing herself to be the butt of a joke, knowing that laughter is the best medicine. Her laughter was contagious. 

Anne had a strong Catholic faith and was confident in her being reunited with her loved ones and the rest of us upon our deaths. She was a proud godmother to her brother Pat, sister Rosie, and nephew Jack.

In the spirit of Anne's generosity, we encourage you to find a way, big or small, to improve the lives of those around you. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing. Visitation will take place at the church from 10-11 a.m. before the service.

A luncheon will be held in East Lansing following the service.

In the upcoming weeks, a memorial service will be held in Weslaco for Anne's Texas friends. Details will be updated as soon as they become available.

Eternal rest grants onto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.