Anne E. (Volk) Walley, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023 at the age of 92. She was a lifelong resident of Dedham and Falmouth and recently of Fox Hill Village in Westwood. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis M. Walley, Jr. and the devoted mother of Susan M. DeNatale and her husband Peter of Wellesley, Marcia W. Blenko and her husband Don of Wellesley and Francis M. Walley III of West Roxbury. She was predeceased by her parents Anne E. (Bingham) Volk and Walter L. Volk and her sister Marilyn C. Murphy.
Anne was the grandmother of Eric DeNatale (Stevi), Lauren Lyons (Paul), Christopher DeNatale, Sarah Blenko, Katie Blenko and Nicholas Blenko. She also leaves 5 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was actively involved in all of their lives and treasured her time with them.
Anne graduated from Dedham High School in 1948 and from Framingham State Teachers College in 1952. She taught 6th grade in the Newton Public Schools.
She was a lifelong communicant at St. Mary’s Church in Dedham and was active in the Dedham Mother of Twins Club, Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, and her Dedham High School and Framingham State class reunion committees. Anne was an accomplished pianist who could play anything by ear and was a frequent accompanist at family holidays and gatherings. She enjoyed music and theater and attended performances at Highfield Theater in Falmouth and the Huntington Theater in Boston for many years. She never missed a concert by the Dedham Choral Society. Anne also was a huge Boston sports fan, and with her husband Frank, was an enthusiastic 40-year season ticket holder to BC Football and Basketball, hosting legendary tailgate parties.
Anne spent every summer in Falmouth Heights at the cottage built by her grandparents in 1922. This was truly her happy place surrounded by family and friends, the sunshine and the sound of the ocean.
With her husband Frank, she instilled a love of travel and adventure in her children and grandchildren. Always the teacher, she enjoyed making every trip an education in geography, science and history. She was an avid reader who loved mysteries and historical fiction, crossword puzzles, and lately, Wordle!
Anne will be remembered fondly for her boundless energy, enthusiasm, and ability to engage with everyone and make them feel special and loved. She had incredibly close lifelong friends and became a second mother and grandmother to many families.
Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 4-7pm. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Monday, Oct. 16 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dedham Choral Society, PO Box 1338, Dedham, MA 02027.