Anna DeBrakeleer, formerly of Hamilton Ave., Farrell, passed away of natural causes at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday (7-20-11) in Clepper Manor, Sharon, where she was a resident for more than eight years. She was 9 days shy of reaching her 101st birthday.

Mrs. DeBrakeleer was born July 29, 1910 in South Sharon, which is now Farrell, a daughter of Andrew and Sophie Schink Moder.

A lifelong area resident, she attended Farrell High School.

Following high school, Anna was employed at the former Myer Frank Furniture Store in Farrell.

She married LeRoy Harry DeBrakeleer on January 8, 1929 in the former Grace Lutheran Church, Farrell. Together they took over the family business, DeBrakeleer's Market, in 1935, where she continued working until she was 80, long after the business was passed on to her son and daughter-in-law, LeRoy and Diana. 'Annie', as she was known by many, was a special person who touched the lives and hearts of many generations of customers, and always with a smile.

She was a founding and lifelong member of the former Grace Lutheran Church, Farrell. She also belonged to the church's German Ladies Aide Society, which was known for their popular German sausage. The ladies sold the sausage for many years as a way to raise funds for the church. Anna enjoyed crocheting and making afghans for her grandchildren. Her family was extremely important to her and she instilled many holiday traditions and a lot of love in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her brown bag Christmas surprise gifts were a favorite with the grandchildren and they particularly liked when she filled them with old silver dollars she had saved throughout the years. Anna was a great example of a generation committed to their church, family and work.

Surviving are: a son, LeRoy A. DeBrakeleer and his wife Diana, Hermitage; two daughters, Paula A. Knott, Sharon; and DeAnna R. Opalenik, Hermitage; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren.

Besides her husband, who passed away April 3, 1971, Annie was preceded in death by three brothers, George, Andrew and William Moder; two sisters, Freda Bousner and Pauline Schuster; and a great grandson, Jacob Lewis.

The family would like to thank Clepper Manor for their wonderful care throughout the years. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Jacob Lewis Memorial Fund, in care of the Shenango Valley Foundation, 101 Chestnut St., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday (7-27-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday (7-27-11) in the funeral home.

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.