Anna Veronica Smith, nurse, devout Catholic
Anna Veronica Smith, 91, of Lewes, passed away Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Delaware Hospice in Milford. Prior to hospice, she had been a resident at Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. Born Oct. 26, 1934, in Bronx, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Martin and Margaret (Green) Healy.
Married Sept 10, 1955, she and her husband John moved to Nanuet, N.Y., in November 1963. During her time in Nanuet, Anna was an active member of St. Aedan’s parish in Pearl River, serving as a Eucharistic minister, a member of the parish council, and a member of the Ladies Guild. After raising five children, she earned her RN degree from Rockland Community College and worked at Nyack Hospital, St. Dominic’s Infirmary, and Arc Rockland. She was a fierce advocate for her patients and those in her care.
In retirement in Lewes, Anna volunteered for a local ESL program and was a longtime member and past president of VFW Post 7447 Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a longtime member of St. Edmond Parish.
Anna was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, John A. Smith; her daughter, Jean Rakotz; her brothers, Donald, Patrick and Martin Healy; and her sisters, Margaret Bogue, Sister Angelus (Jean) Healy, and Mary Masterson.
She is survived by her loving children, Barbara A. Swenson (Al), Theresa M. Harris (Patrick), Thomas A. Smith and John M. Smith (Katrina); 12 grandchildren, Jacqueline Harris, Lauren Nadig (Drew), Patrick Harris (Carly), Thomas B. Smith, Riley Smith, Claire Mary Smith, John D. Smith, Ryan Smith, Luke Smith, Alex Rakotz (Danae), Ian Rakotz (Kaitlyn) and Anna Day (Patrick); and 10 great-grandchildren, Maggie and Ella Nadig, Hayley, Mackenzie and Charlotte Harris, Thomas B. and Mackenzie Smith, Wren and Emerson Rakotz, and Sasha Jean Day.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb.13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, with a viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at 1 p.m., at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Edmond Church or Delaware Veteran's Home.
Visit Anna's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
