Anna M. (Giansiracusa) Withey, 83, of Sharon and formerly of Burlington, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 26, 2026, with the love and comfort of her devoted daughter by her side.

Anna was born in Revere, Massachusetts, one of three children of the late Emanuel and Carmela (Nicknello) Giansiracusa. She was raised in Saugus, where she enjoyed a happy childhood surrounded by family and friends. She attended the Saugus public schools and graduated from Saugus High School with the Class of 1960. Although Anna had aspirations of continuing her education, her devotion to family took precedence. Rather than attending college, she remained at home to help her mother care for her grandfather and assist in raising her younger brother and sister. It was a responsibility she accepted with love, demonstrating at an early age the selflessness and dedication to family that would remain defining qualities throughout her life. Following high school, Anna also spent time working alongside her father in his Chinese restaurant and liquor store, gaining valuable experience and developing the strong work ethic that would serve her well throughout her life. She later went on to enjoy a long career working for the Internal Revenue Service. While her own educational journey may have taken a different path than she had originally envisioned, Anna never lost her curiosity or love of learning, something she would carry with her throughout her life and eagerly share with her children and grandchildren.

Sometimes the greatest love stories begin in the most unexpected places, and for Anna, hers began on a subway platform. While waiting for a Green Line train, a handsome young Navy sailor named Mathew Withey happened to notice her standing nearby. Never one to let an opportunity pass him by, Mat struck up a conversation that continued throughout their train ride. By the time they reached their destinations, Anna had given him her telephone number, and the first chapter of a beautiful love story had been written. Even while Mat was away serving his country, their romance blossomed through heartfelt letters exchanged across the miles. Upon his return, the two were married and began building their life together, settling just a few houses away from Anna's parents in Saugus.

From the very beginning, Anna and Mat were a team, supporting one another through life's many opportunities and challenges. Anna worked to help support their young family while Mat returned to school to pursue a career as a draftsman. His career would eventually take them to New Jersey before bringing them back to Massachusetts, where they settled in Burlington and raised their three children, two daughters and a son. Together, they created a home filled with warmth, laughter, encouragement, and an abundance of love.

Above all else, Anna treasured being a mother. She was loving, attentive, and endlessly supportive, always encouraging her children to pursue their interests and embrace new experiences. Whatever activity or adventure captured their attention, Anna was right there beside them, offering encouragement and celebrating their accomplishments. An avid tennis enthusiast herself, she wasted little time introducing her children to the sport, and before long, family tennis matches at the Burlington Swim and Tennis Club became a cherished part of their lives. Whether cheering from the sidelines, offering a little friendly competition, or simply being there when her children needed her, Anna made certain they always knew how deeply they were loved. Her devotion to her family was unwavering, and nothing brought her greater happiness than seeing those she loved happy and thriving.

Anna had a wonderful appreciation for life's simple pleasures and enjoyed keeping herself active and engaged. In addition to her love of tennis, she was an enthusiastic bowler and enjoyed skiing. Some of her fondest childhood memories were made during family vacations at Nutting Lake in Billerica, where carefree summer days and time spent with loved ones left a lasting impression on her heart. Anna also possessed a creative side and particularly enjoyed making ceramics, taking pride in the beautiful pieces she crafted with patience and care.

Her Catholic faith was another important part of her life. As a dedicated member of St. Malachy's Church in Burlington, Anna generously shared her time and talents with her parish community. She taught CCD, helping guide young people in their faith, and faithfully served as a Eucharistic Minister. Her involvement in the church reflected the kindness, generosity, and quiet devotion that were such natural parts of her character. Anna believed in giving of herself, whether to her family, her church, or anyone who might benefit from a helping hand.

In 2004, Anna and Mat decided that their adventures together were far from over. With their Subaru Forester packed and the open road ahead of them, the couple embarked on an exciting new chapter, driving across the country to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Mat had accepted a position with Martin and Martin Engineering. What began as a career opportunity turned into seven wonderful years of exploration, new experiences, and treasured memories. The couple embraced their time in Las Vegas, particularly enjoying the city's vibrant entertainment scene and attending as many live musical performances as they could.

Their years out West also provided wonderful opportunities to spend time with their youngest daughter and her husband in Orange County, California. Weekend and holiday visits became cherished occasions, allowing the family to remain close despite the miles that separated them. Never ones to pass up an opportunity for adventure, Anna and Mat explored the breathtaking beauty of the western United States, traveling along the California coastline and marveling at the magnificent landscapes of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks in Utah. Together, they experienced places they had once only dreamed of visiting, adding countless memories to an already remarkable life shared side by side.

When Mat retired in 2011, the couple packed up their belongings once again and made the journey back home to Massachusetts. Their timing could not have been more meaningful, as they were eager to be closer to their family and spend time with their grandson, who had been born the previous year. If Anna thought being a mother was one of life's greatest blessings, becoming a grandmother brought an entirely new level of joy to her heart.

Anna and Mat embraced their roles as grandparents wholeheartedly, finding immense happiness in watching their grandson grow and discover his own talents and passions. They treasured the opportunity to be present for the little moments as well as the important milestones, and they took tremendous pride in his accomplishments. Whether he was excelling in the classroom, competing in sports, or sharing his musical abilities, Anna was among his most enthusiastic supporters. To her, every achievement was something worth celebrating, and the love and pride she felt for her grandson were immeasurable. Those precious years spent together as a family were among the greatest gifts of her retirement.

Anna possessed a wonderful curiosity about the world around her and a genuine appreciation for its beauty. Along with her love of music, she had a passion for history, art, and nature. She delighted in visiting historic landmarks, art museums, botanical gardens, and state and national parks, always eager to learn something new or discover something beautiful. She and her daughter explored just about every museum Boston had to offer, and during her time out West, Anna visited nearly every museum and zoo in Los Angeles and Orange County. Yet, for all the magnificent places she visited and the remarkable things she saw, Anna never lost her childlike sense of wonder at the simplest gifts of nature. Even in her later years, while spending time outdoors at Care One at Sharon, she would look up at the trees with amazement and exclaim, "Wow, look at the trees!" She would often remark, "I've never seen a tree that big!" or marvel at a snowfall or rainstorm as though she were experiencing it for the very first time. She had a special way of noticing the things others might overlook, pointing out a beautiful flower, a bird perched nearby, or the changing colors of the seasons. Just as she found beauty wherever she looked, Anna seemed to find friendship wherever she went. She had a natural ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, turning strangers into friends with her warmth, genuine interest, and unmistakable personality. Anna was unapologetically herself, never feeling the need to change who she was to please others. She spoke her mind, embraced her individuality, and approached life with an authenticity that made her all the more endearing. Whether she was exploring a museum, enjoying a beautiful garden, or simply sharing a conversation with someone she had just met, Anna left a lasting impression. She found extraordinary beauty in ordinary moments and had a remarkable gift for making those around her feel connected, reminding everyone fortunate enough to know her that life's greatest treasures are often found in the simplest experiences and the friendships made along the way.

Throughout her life, Anna demonstrated that happiness was not necessarily found in grand gestures, but in the everyday moments shared with the people who mattered most. From a chance meeting on a subway platform to raising a family in Burlington, from cross-country adventures to the simple joy of watching her grandson grow, hers was a life beautifully woven together by love, faith, family, and devotion.

Anna was predeceased by her husband, Norman Mathew Withey, who passed away in June.

She is survived by her loving children, Maria Ikonitskiy and her husband Roman of Stoughton, Jennifer Knoll and her husband Alex of Fullerton, CA and Jackman “Jack” Withey of Duncan, OK, a grandson, Jason Ikonitskiy, a sister Theresa Corsino and her husband Paul of Danvers, a brother Paul Giansiracusa and his wife Cindy of Saugus as well as several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her visiting hours on Sunday, November 1st from 2pm to 5pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. Burlington. Her funeral will start from the funeral home on Monday, November 2, at 9am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am at St. Malachy’s Church in St. Veronica’s Parish, 99 Bedford St. Burlington. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org