Antoinette Anderson, age 66, of 951 Pine St., Negaunee, succumbed to cancer with quiet dignity while surrounded by her loving family after a year-long illness on Sunday, June 20, 2021. Never complaining about a diagnosis with no cure and losing her ability to walk shortly thereafter, Antoinette was released from her pain and suffering to meet her Savior, the Lord Jesus, and to see her "Daddy and Momma."

Antoinette was born in Ishpeming on January 20, 1955, a daughter of the late Rose Ann (Sulli) and Joseph Francis Valela. She grew up in Ishpeming and attended St. John's Catholic School through the 9 ^th grade. She then attended Ishpeming High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1973. Antoinette worked for the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co. early in her career, having spent time in the mail room and the accounts payable department. Loving devotion to raising her three beautiful children became her priority before returning to work as a Special Education Teacher's Aide at Negaunee Public Schools for 20 years. Having worked at the high school and grade school levels, Antoinette loved her job and the students loved her. She was known by her students as "Mrs. A."

Antoinette was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee and a past member of The Upper Peninsula Paisano Club, being very proud of her Italian heritage. She traveled to Italy as a high school student, visiting the Vatican and many other famous places. She also went to France thereafter, seeing more famous sites. In her younger years she enjoyed being fashionable through sewing and making her own clothes. She was also gifted at crocheting intricate doilies of all sizes and once made a crocheted bedspread. She loved reading, especially Agatha Christie novels. At one time she was on the Ishpeming Cribbage League, which led to a lifetime of enjoying card games, puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word games. She was also a huge fan of the game show "Jeopardy" and never missed a show. She loved the Peanuts characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown. She also enjoyed the finer things in life, like: Coca-Cola, Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Lay's Classic Potato Chips, Hershey's chocolate bars, ice cream sandwiches, Congress Pizza, parades, fireworks, and of course, pasta. She enjoyed and supported the yearly "Walk to End Alzheimer's" in honor of her mother.

Antoinette was an excellent cook and loved cooking shows. She was very proud of her recently renovated kitchen and enjoyed making Sunday spaghetti and meatballs for her family, a long family tradition. Affectionately known by her grandchildren as "Nona," they loved her homemade meatballs and kind, loving ways. They especially liked to pick her flowers and draw her pictures. Her children and grandchildren were the highlight of her life and the most important people to her. She hoped to see her grandchildren graduate from high school and wishes them happiness and success and to remember their Nona.

Antoinette was a soft-spoken, kind, gentle sweetheart. She mostly enjoyed the simple things, like taking walks with Jerry, the love of her life, or sitting on the swing or porch at camp with Jerry and looking out over Little Shag Lake. Her and Jerry's special time each day was coffee and chocolates during "Jeopardy." She always gave of herself by putting everyone else's needs in front of her own. She is going to be missed immensely by her family and will never be forgotten.

She was deeply loved by her children, who still referred to her as "Mommy," even as adults. She shared her quirky sense of humor with her children, and they had many inside jokes involving wordplay. All of her children inherited her famous giggle and will continue to cherish the other gifts she gave to them, such as unconditional love and encouragement. There is no way to put into words how much her children and grandchildren will miss her.

The family would like to thank PA-C Steven Gualdoni, Dr. Jonathan Housman, Dr. Michael Grossman, U.P. Home Health and Hospice, Father Larry Van Damme, and the Marq-Tran Bus Service. Thank you to friends and family for constant prayers. A special thank you to Antoinette's sister Roseann for arranging daily meals from both sides of the family, and to cousin Patti Maki for watching over Antoinette. Most importantly, thank you to all the grandchildren for the colorful artwork and numerous well wishes, drawings, and homemade trinkets of love for their Nona.

Survivors include her husband, Gerald T. Anderson of Negaunee, who she married on June 26, 1982, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church; two daughters, Katie Rose (Brett) Jory of Flushing and Megan Leigh (Matthew) Croschere of Negaunee; a son, Thomas Joseph "T.J." (Stephanie Rohr) Anderson of Chicago; a sister, Roseann Valela and a brother, Francis Valela, both of Ishpeming; grandchildren Eleanor, Audrianna, and Conrad Jory, and Leah and Sadie Croschere; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Antoinette's family will greet relatives and friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home, where a parish prayer service will be held at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will again be held on Monday, June 28, 2021, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Larry Van Damme and Rev. Fr. Ryan Ford co-celebrating the Mass. A luncheon will follow in the KD Hall at St. John's Church. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Fran Valela, T.J. Anderson, Bill Anderson, Brett Jory, Matthew Croschere, and Pete Holloway.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at stjude.org.

Antoinette's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

A recording o Antoinette's service may be listened to here.