Anna Jane Pettijohn

Anna Jane (Foley) Pettijohn passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013 at her home in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 85. She was born November 18, 1928 to John David and Margaret Ann (Dugan) Foley in New Philadelphia, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. She was christened at the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church of New Philadelphia. Anna Jane came to Stockton, Kansas after graduating from St. Stephen’s Catholic High School in Port Carbon, Pennsylvania in the fall of 1947. She went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company until her marriage to William Gordon Pettijohn on September 26, 1948 at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Later she worked at the Solomon Valley Manor but spent most of her life doing what she loved most, raising her family and taking care of her home on the farm near Stockton. Anna Jane’s life revolved around her family from whom she drew strength and lived to serve. Whether cooking, quilting, sewing, or any other of hundreds of chores, every job done was a true labor of love. She enjoyed reading, square dancing and traveling with Gordon whenever they had the opportunity. In the fall of 1992, she and Gordon retired from the farm and moved to Stockton where she enjoyed volunteer work for the thrift shop and being involved with the St. Thomas Altar Society and St. Thomas Mission Quilters. She was also involved with the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliary. Left to cherish Anna Jane’s memory is her daughter, Sharon M. Pettijohn of Stockton; son, William L. “Bill” Pettijohn and wife Judy of Hutchinson; granddaughters, Alison (Pettijohn) Samuel and husband Jeremy of Wichita and Amy (Pettijohn) Dougan and husband Matthew of Derby; great-granddaughter, Layla J. Samuel of Wichita. Preceding her in death was her husband, Gordon on November 14, 2012; parents, John David and Margaret Ann (Dugan) Foley; siblings, Margaret Theresa Foley, Thomas E. Foley, Catherine Reeves, Charlotte LeSage, John David Foley, Jr, Mary Pettijohn Moore, Alice Kelly, and Loretta Irons; nephew, David Irons and great-nephew, Stephen Kelly. Although Anna Jane will be greatly missed, her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she loved, a legacy of strong faith, caring spirit, and deep love. Through her, the blessed sunlight has shone upon us, warming our hearts, until they glow like a great peat fire. Reception: St. Thomas Parish Center