McPherson,+Annaly

18916 - 68th Ave. NE, Apt E104 Kenmore, WA 98028 425 486-5725 (effective May 9) cell 425 890-6297 agmcpherson1@verizon.net
 * Annaly McPherson**

**1969:**After my senior year at the University of Washington, where I was a drama major, I went to work for Air West.I have been employed by Air West for the past seven years, and for the past 5 years have been a reservation supervisor.Seattle has been my home for the past 10 years with the exception of one year which I spent in Portland.

**1999:**Seeking:Attended the UW as a theatre major.Enjoyed much success.Reality said I was too young to compete with mature professional character actresses in New York.So, I went to work. Worked for the airlines in a large customer service facility for 21 years.Managed over 200 people in a union environment.Took lots of trips.Traveled extensively and shopped in all the major cities.Those were the fun, hedonistic years.Smoked, read books, worked hard, was well paid, benefited, lived in elegant old apartments and was obnoxiously carefree. The McPherson family:Mother died in 1965 of ovarian cancer.My dad died in 1979 of lung cancer.My sister, Lynn, and her husband live in Shelter Bay (outside LaConner). Reality:Left the airlines in 1984 after they closed the Seattle facility.Had some no-cause, no-cure eye diseases that were imperiling my sight and was not comfortable in moving to a new state.Went into Human Resource management for a high tech company in the Redmond area.The next 10 years were spent recouping salary, learning my craft, finding out I didn’t know everything, experiencing the joy of having a network of H.R. friends, having cataract surgery and going through 2 attacks of MS which now has been in remission for 9 years. Finding:Have worked for 3 companies since 1984.Am now the Director of H.R. for a high tech wireless communication co. with 300 employees.Am well compensated and work for a co. that needs and wants what I do best.I am blessed with good friends, sufficient health and stamina to create my fantasy gardens each year, the joy of being bossed and loved by 2 cats, enough eyesight to pass the driver’s license eye exam, work challenges to keep me on my toes and the good sense to know that we make our own sunshine. And who knows, …when I retire in 10 or 12 years, I might just go back to those character actress roles.At least I will be of an appropriate age!

 **2009:** Retired last July—a week before my 67th birthday. Retirement has been problematical to say the least. One week before retirement I broke my left arm (elbow). Since I am right handed, I managed. On September 3rd, I tripped over a neighbor’s throw rug and fractured my right arm and elbow. Lots of eating with a big spoon with my left hand, not being able to put in my contacts, or open anything that took two hands. Then, the day I got out of the cast and sling, I developed a pinched nerve in my upper right shoulder. God awful pain. THEN, I developed sciatica and could barely walk. I had back surgery in February—5 and ½ hours, and a 2 weeks stay in rehab for physical therapy. Stayed with my sister in La Conner for 3+ months of recovery and recently moved to Kenmore—more affordable on a retired income than Bellevue or Redmond.  T he good news is that I have my life back, my back responded well to surgery and the pinched nerve is manageable. I have a container garden outside my back patio with enough sun to grow annuals—also have a creek about 10 steps away. The cats love to look at it. The cats, Murphy and Bess, seem to like my new digs.  I finally feel as though I am retired. I keep up on all the political news, read my favorite books, listen to Pavarotti and keep up with good friends. I am the “lunch queen!”  I don’t miss work at all and have turned down consulting jobs. Laziness is good!  I will see you at the reunion and hope you have all made a life full of sunshine.

ANNALY MCPHERSON(1941 - 2013) Annaly McPherson died on June 3, 2013 in Bellevue, WA. after a valiant battle with several disabling health conditions. She was supported and surrounded to the end by her loving family. She was born on July 15, 1941 in Mount Vernon to John and Elsa Mattson McPherson. Annaly attended elementary and high school in Mount Vernon graduating with the Class of 1959. She loved Drama and was in many High School productions. She majored in Drama while attending the University of Washington. Annaly lived her adult years in the Seattle/Bellevue area. In 1963 she began working for Hughes Airlines as a ticket agent. She worked in the airline industry for many years lastly working for Northwest Airlines. She traveled extensively during these years. Switching careers she became a Human Resources Specialist. She was a strong advocate for employees during her long career working for O'Brien Skis, EMF Corp and Zetron Industries. She was highly respected among her peers. At age fifty Annaly was diagnosed with MS. She struggled with limited vision. In 2012 she became a double amputee. Despite these major challenge Annaly remained very positive and upbeat, determined to live her life as fully and independently as possible. She was a life long avid reader and student. Annaly was very knowledgeable and interested in current events. She loved growing flowers, books, friends and her "kitties". She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Lynn and Glenn Koontz of LaConner, niece Kathryn Powell of Renton, nephews Kelly Koontz of Issaquah and David Koontz of Kent and their spouses. She is also survived by six great nieces and one great nephew and her beloved cat Bess.
 * 2013 (obituary) **
 * Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on June 8, 2013**