Anna "Annie" (Vital) Curnes
August 21, 1921 — December 28, 2014
Anna “Annie” (Vital) Curnes
Humorous and Witty -
Anna “Annie” (Vital) Curnes was gently summoned into God’s presence at age 93-plus at Messiah Village, surrounded by her loving daughter, Joann, her son-in-law, Earl, and her loving caregivers of the Donegal neighborhood on Sunday, December 28, 2014. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Annie was born on Sunday, August 21, 1921 in Johnstown to the late Joseph Vital and Helen (Ilona) Szebenszki. Annie was the widow of Edward I. Curnes, whom she married on August 14, 1943, and with whom she shared 60 happily married years until his death in November 2003. In addition to her parents and husband, Anna is preceded in death by her siblings: Julia Gyuris, Helen Sariano, Joseph Vital, and Andrew Vital.
Annie graduated from Johnstown High School as part of the class of 1939 with a commercial/business diploma, and soon after, she migrated to the Harrisburg area where she lived with family while job hunting. After the United States declared war on Japan in 1941, Annie found herself working in some capacity for the war effort at the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard . In early 1943, she was transferred to the Mechanicsburg Naval Depot , where she met the love of her life, Edward, a Marine from West Virginia, who was assigned to guard duty on the base. Annie grew up attending the St. John’s Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church of Johnstown. After her marriage, Annie and Edward became members of Steven Memorial United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, and later they transferred to Shiremanstown United Methodist Church . She was a 50-year member of the O.E.S. #479 .
Annie was a stay-at-home mom for several years; returning to work for a brief stint at the Pennsylvania State Capitol before her 25 years of service to AMP, Inc. until she retired in 1984. Annie’s interests included: working in her flowerbeds, going to yard sales, sewing, and sending cards to family, friends and shut-ins at church. She and her husband liked traveling to Wildwood Beach when their daughter was young. After retirement, they enjoyed New England and Myrtle Beach trips and took up league bowling in Harrisburg. Throughout her life, Annie had a sense of humor and wit that usually stunned folks. After being widowed, she moved to an apartment in the Allegheny building at Messiah Village in 2004. As her health declined in 2013, Annie became a resident of the Donegal Neighborhood, but she still had her wit and humor and participated in many activities. Her daughter and son-in-law declared her the Diva of Donegal. Annie’s favorite activity was the bus rides, and Bible Study and Bingo were close seconds. She often said to her daughter, “These are good kids here who do their best to take care of us old folks.” On behalf of Annie, her daughter and son-in-law wish to express gratitude to her caregivers for their love, care, and compassion, even when Annie had a bad day.
All are welcome to join Annie’s family at her visitation on Monday, January 5, 2015, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at Shiremanstown United Methodist Church , 125 East Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011; with Pastor Logan Garth Swanger officiating. Burial will follow in Rolling Green Memorial Park in Camp Hill. Annie’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church following the burial.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Shiremanstown United Methodist Church, 125 East Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011 or to the Messiah Employee Gift Fund, 100 Mount Allen Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
Annie’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Annie’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign HIS/HER official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .