Anna Burnett

Cofer

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Anna Burnett Cofer

Feb 23 1928 - Sep 04 2020

Anna Burnett Cofer of Carrollton, Texas passed away September 4, 2020 at the age of 92. She was born February 23, 1928 to John Burnett and Jessie (Whitton) Burnett in Carnbee, Scotland. Her father was originally a blacksmith and her mother an amazing gardener known for jam from the fruit she grew. Growing up with her sister, Helen, and brothers, John and Charlie on the east coast of Scotland, Anna attended the Waid Academy in Scotland, where she received many honors and graduated first in her class.  After completing a business degree, she worked for a shipbuilding company where she calculated their payroll, then riding her bicycle from village to village, hand delivered wages to the employees.  Always adventurous, Anna and a close friend decided to emigrate to Canada.  When her friend backed out at the last minute, Anna made the 10-day cross Atlantic boat trip from Scotland to Toronto, on her own.  Arriving in Canada in 1951 at the age of 23, she landed a job with Massey Ferguson as an Executive Secretary. She had an active social life in her new country making many lifelong friends. After marrying and with three young daughters, the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. Anna was active for many years at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines and served on the Board of Deaconesses. As an accomplished seamstress, she became involved with the Make It With Wool Contest and after winning first place several times, she moved on to a leadership role, first at the local level and eventually as State Director. After raising her girls, Anna began work with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate where she was employed for 15 years. In 1991, Anna decided another adventure was in order and moved to Texas so she could be closer to family. A dedicated and loyal employee, she enjoyed a 20-year career with the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas as Executive Assistant to the president of the association and Secretary to the Board of Directors, finally retiring in 2011 at the age of 83.  Anna was an active member of her P.E.O. chapter where she supported helping women reach their educational goals. Anna was a basketball fan and cheered on the Dallas Mavericks with son-in-law, Kurt. She loved to travel internationally and made her most recent trip back to her beloved Scotland just last summer to visit family and many friends. Such an elegant, graceful lady, Anna was interesting and interested in many topics.  She was an accomplished knitter, seamstress, business woman and as a lifelong learner, studied Spanish and enjoyed reading, especially medical literature.

Anna is survived by daughters, Heather Miller and husband, Kurt of Plano, Texas, Virginia Cofer of Chicago, Illinois and Dr. Shelagh Cofer and husband, Ian Lochridge of Rochester, Minnesota; grandchildren, Sean and Megan Miller and Elizabeth Cofer Lochridge; and by numerous friends and family whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her siblings and parents.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to: P.E.O., Chapter FV, Attn: Mary Dailey, Treasurer, 3912 Los Robles Drive, Plano, TX 75074

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