Ann Marie (Anni) Tiernan

Ann Marie (Anni) Tiernan of Black Mountain, NC and formerly of Everett, MA passed away peacefully after a long illness on September 18. She was 84. Anni had a strong sense of her Irish heritage and never met a story that she couldn’t embellish to the delight of all listeners. She graduated from Regis College in Weston, MA in 1959 and held professional roles as a teacher and clinical dietician. A Renaissance woman, she had wide-ranging interests including creative writing, poetry, icon painting, baking, Irish history, para-legal studies, sports and travel. In recent years Anni volunteered in the Guardian ad Litem program and at the Women’s Prison. She was a strong supporter of social justice initiatives and traveled to South America as part of Witness for Peace. She supported numerous charities among them St. Jude Hospital, Native American educational initiatives and environmental groups.

Anni is predeceased by her parents, Harold and Anna (Purcell) Tiernan; her siblings, William Tiernan, Robert Tiernan, Catherine Galgon and Jane McDonough. She is survived by her partner, Candis Smart; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Tiernan and Lorette Tiernan; and 17 nephews and 3 nieces and their offspring.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the St. Vincent DePaul Society and Doctors without Borders.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa, NC at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 30. A small gathering will take place afterwards at the church.

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