Anne Harrington Obituary

Anne Harrington
Anne Harrington, 62 years old, died peacefully at home on Friday, December 10th, 2004. She was a resident of Marin for 35 years. A private family viewing will be held on Wednesday, December 15th, 2004, at Keaton's in San Rafael. A Mass and Celebration of Her Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18th, 2004 at St. Vincent's Church in San Rafael. Immediately following the Mass, a reception will be held in her honor at 1:00 p.m., at the Embassy Suites in San Rafael.
Anne was born in San Francisco, California on November 18th, 1942, the eldest of four children to Joseph and Agnes Lanthier, who preceded her in death. She attended St. John's Ursiline's High School and graduated with a BS in Social Work from San Francisco State University. She went on to work at the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities. Anne devoted the last ten years of her professional career as the Rental Assistance Coordinator for the City of San Francisco, Department of Human Services. She was the recipient of numerous awards including the Vincentian Honoree of the Year, and was honored by Swords to Plowshares, a program serving homeless veterans. Anne cofounded the St. Vincent's School for Boys Halloween Pumpkin Field in the mid-1970s, which continued to be an annual passion for her and her family, for 30 years. She was a longtime volunteer and board member for Marin Abused Women's Services.
On April Fools Day in 1960, Joe and Anne (two of the luckiest fools were they!) met and began their journey together. In January 1963, they were married. Together they had four children, Joanne Williams, Chris Pollitt (Kevin), Tom Harrington (Karyn), and Maureen Rodriquez (Robert). Anne is survived by siblings, Joe Lanthier, Mary Harrington, and John Lanthier (Diana). In -laws Sr. Mary Therese Harrington, Eileen Hartnett (John), Tom Harrington, and Ed Harrington (Dan Scannell). And also part of Anne's family were Tom Mullen, Kathy Marika, Meagan and Colleen. Nieces and nephews Brian, Jimmy, and Teri Hartnett, Gina Harrington, and Janell Lillie, Jason and Nick Lanthier. Anne was a devoted and loving grandmother to Austin, Vanessa, Joshua, Ross, and Jack.
Anne's wit, humor, and colorful language only enhanced her ability to serve her family, friends, and clients.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to be loved by her, experienced the richness of her generosity, kindness, and wholehearted acceptance. Our mom had a true gift of making us feel like we were the most special people on earth. She was the anchor for our family.
Anne's greatest delights and guilty pleasures included long relaxing days by the pool with her Diet Coke, playing with her grandchildren, whirlwind trips to Toy's 'r Us, holiday sweaters, earrings, and converse high-tops. We will always miss her.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Vincent Chapel, at 1 St. Vincent Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903.